[is that one of those theater kids I've heard so much about?]
Accomplice: You are smart and caring, though you may at times try to hide that care or worries behind jokes and sarcasm. But I do like you most when you are open, yes. Accomplice: And in a sense... Yes, it does. Accomplice: You and Lahabrea both are different from my memories. You have grown, changed. More worldly. You've arrived with your memories intact, too. Next to you both, with my lack of knowledge of myself and the mortal world, I feel like a child. Accomplice: And, knowingly or not, I would keep comparing myself to the Hythlodaeus you remember. Surely you must have expected to see your friend, wise and capable and quick to adapt, and instead you got someone who struggles with every other step he makes, who you have to keep looking out for like a child, someone you can't rely on because he is not strong enough. Is that not grounds enough for feeling like I am a disappointment to you?
Hades: To blame you for lacking your memories would only be a fault on my end. Hades: Do I miss my old friend, whose guidance and wisdom I do yearn for? Yes. Hades: But to put all of that upon you is unkind at best. Hades: You are your own person, Levity. And if I have failed to treat you like one then that is a failing on my part, not yours. Hades: And I will affirm you are not a disappointed as you grow. As you learn, as you succeed and fail. As you blossom into whatever lies ahead for you. Hades: Your curiosity is your strength. Let it always be. Hades: But I have a hard time grasping a time when you haven't been disappointed in my decisions. For not opening up to you quick enough, for Absinthe, for how I even decided to play in this game. Hades: Quick are you to judge my actions without speaking to me. Hades: And that is what I fear from you.
Accomplice: Hmmm. You seem to tie my disappointment with your actions to my disappointment with you as a person. That's not the same at all. Accomplice: You not opening up to me earlier was not disappointment; rather, frustration and fear of loneliness. You would say that I was your closest friend and confidant, yet keep your distance; I could not help but feel that I was not good enough for you. For Lahabrea, too, who only reaffirmed that you both do not trust me. What was I meant to think? To do? I did not know. I still do not truly know. Accomplice: With Absinthe... Yes, I could not understand why you did not interfere. But I have since gathered that such is the way for you all, being closed off in many matters even with those you love. And that's sad. Is that how things really should be? Is that how they were back in Amaurot? Accomplice: You want to come back. And I want you to start coming back, emotionally. Accomplice: I know your time in the mortal world has been... terrifying. Painful. Numbing. But with the goal almost in your reach, can you not let yourself start healing?
Hades: Within my reach? Hades: Not only must I master time and travel amongst the stars. Hades: But I must fight against those who oppose me at every turn. Hades: Where even trying to divvy up the timelines was a solution they could not stomach. Hades: Were Heaven to grant its protection on my star on their behalf, would I be able to save it? Hades: Our victory is hardly assured. Hades: I cannot afford to lose focus. Hades: And you haven't seen me closed off. Do give me some benefit of the doubt.
Accomplice: ... Accomplice: You and Lahabrea need to both, at the same time, come and finally tell me everything. Because speaking to you separately paints completely different pictures before me.
Hades: Of course Lahabrea believes it in reach. Hades: There is naught else he can do. Hades: It is his strength and his weakness. Hades: Without his pure conviction of success we would have not gotten as far as we have. Hades: We know we have our flaws, Levity. That we fool ourselves. Hades: That we hide away and hold onto what is precious to us. Hades: For that is how we have survived all these years. Hades: And such cannot be undone so readily. Hades: But if you truly wish to know, I will show you. Hades: But not in Future is Now.
Accomplice: I do want to know. What destination do you have in mind? Dreams?
Accomplice: And... truly, I am glad you do realize those things. Accomplice: I can't quite describe why it is relieving to me, but I felt the same with Absinthe. And Vergil too, in some ways. Accomplice: Perhaps... because if you can admit it, maybe I can finally do something for you.
Hades: Yes, dreams. Hades: Though I will warn you my control over them has been rather shaky of late. Hades: So there is a possibility of being dragged into a nightmare that I cannot control. Hades: If you are willing to risk it.
[Let's assume it's the next evening or something. Hopefully it was a chill day in Tokyo-F and fin didn't get set on fire accidentally or something so Levity could just like practice mindfulness.]
Accomplice: I'm ready. Accomplice: Although a thought occurs: if you distrust your control of dreams lately, why not ask Lahabrea to help? Accomplice: Moreover, I was not aware it was possible to lose control of our powers here like that...
Hades: Normally I would, but this is something personal between the two of us, is it not? A test to see if our bond of friendship can last. Hades: 'Tis no different than being frightened or letting your mind wander to dark places unable to pull it out. It is just simply amplified in the dream. Hades: I will meet you shortly. Hades: Good night, Levity.
[And he will pop up in Levity's dreams once he is asleep.]
By His power and His Grace was order restored, but our woes only grew from there.
Ere long, however, thankless fools began to fear that Zodiark's might was too great. From the fears of these naysayers would rise Hydaelyn, She who was to serve as His shackles, to bind Him and hold Him in check. And so they fought, and they fought, and they fought. And in the end...Hydaelyn was victorious. With all Her strength She smote Him dealing a blow so devastating that it split the very fabric of reality. And thus was Zodiark banished and His being divided.
This singular ability strikes not at such banal things as flesh, but everything that defines the target, diluting its existence. Everything reduced in all aspects - strength, intelligence, the very soul itself. This selfsame fate befell not only Zodiark, but the very star.
Only three of us were lucky enough to escape the Sundering.
[he will VERY CAREFULLY refrain from even thinking about his own opinions on Zodiark.
And fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, this is not far from what Levity has gathered from things both Emet and Cosmo have said. He nods, slowly. Just... focusing on trying to approach it as an outside thing, not something that affects him and people he loves so closely.
But he still can't held folding his arms as though to hug himself, posture growing a little tenser.]
...I wonder if I would call it luck. Witnessing all that and staying the only people alive.
When all was done, all that was left were the shattered remnants of our home. A Source and its thirteen reflections.
The inhabitants of these fourteen fragments were feeble, frail, and foolish. Oblivious to their imperfection, ignorant of their past. Malformed creatures thrashing blindly about. Pitiful. Disturbing. Depressing. Again and again they would give rise to tragedy after tragedy.
So we took it upon ourselves to rejoin the worlds. That has been our great work since the world was Sundered. Work that both Lahabrea and I died before we could see its fruition.
So this is apparently the part where he's supposed to start hating Emet or something.
But at the same time... he would be lying to himself if he denied that there is a part of him that feels frustrated with the ways of humanity, the things they do to one another. For all that this place is hell, mortal worlds seem to offer just as much suffering - if not more, sometimes. And out there, there is no quick way to heal, or feel better. Or sometimes even anyone to rely on.
He wants to believe in the best in people. He does. He still holds onto the idea that at their core people are kind and compassionate, that they seek purpose and fulfillment in life, not the suffering of others.
But he can't deny the fact that he has thought of them as foolish or blind. Not separate individuals, but people as a whole, a great mass constantly at odds with itself, unwilling to search for compromise...
He's quiet for a short time as those thoughts flash by, then nods again.]
And... is it the nature of the way you chose to rejoin the world that you fear telling me about?
You've mentioned numerous times there are those who would oppose the return. So the answer must be yes.
[A brief pause--]
Absinthe did hint quite clearly that you were responsible for destroying worlds. Or simply killing thousands. Is that what you thought would drive me from you?
[There's--actual surprise on his face, like he really didn't expect Emet to take it so closely to heart. He looks aside briefly, brow knitting in confusion, then looks back to Emet.]
...Do you never find things I do or say foolish? Incorrect? Hurtful? And if you do, does it make you care for me any less?
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Re: 377 some time after the game
Accomplice: You are smart and caring, though you may at times try to hide that care or worries behind jokes and sarcasm. But I do like you most when you are open, yes.
Accomplice: And in a sense... Yes, it does.
Accomplice: You and Lahabrea both are different from my memories. You have grown, changed. More worldly. You've arrived with your memories intact, too. Next to you both, with my lack of knowledge of myself and the mortal world, I feel like a child.
Accomplice: And, knowingly or not, I would keep comparing myself to the Hythlodaeus you remember. Surely you must have expected to see your friend, wise and capable and quick to adapt, and instead you got someone who struggles with every other step he makes, who you have to keep looking out for like a child, someone you can't rely on because he is not strong enough. Is that not grounds enough for feeling like I am a disappointment to you?
Re: 377 some time after the game
Hades: Do I miss my old friend, whose guidance and wisdom I do yearn for? Yes.
Hades: But to put all of that upon you is unkind at best.
Hades: You are your own person, Levity. And if I have failed to treat you like one then that is a failing on my part, not yours.
Hades: And I will affirm you are not a disappointed as you grow. As you learn, as you succeed and fail. As you blossom into whatever lies ahead for you.
Hades: Your curiosity is your strength. Let it always be.
Hades: But I have a hard time grasping a time when you haven't been disappointed in my decisions. For not opening up to you quick enough, for Absinthe, for how I even decided to play in this game.
Hades: Quick are you to judge my actions without speaking to me.
Hades: And that is what I fear from you.
Re: 377 some time after the game
Accomplice: You not opening up to me earlier was not disappointment; rather, frustration and fear of loneliness. You would say that I was your closest friend and confidant, yet keep your distance; I could not help but feel that I was not good enough for you. For Lahabrea, too, who only reaffirmed that you both do not trust me. What was I meant to think? To do? I did not know. I still do not truly know.
Accomplice: With Absinthe... Yes, I could not understand why you did not interfere. But I have since gathered that such is the way for you all, being closed off in many matters even with those you love. And that's sad. Is that how things really should be? Is that how they were back in Amaurot?
Accomplice: You want to come back. And I want you to start coming back, emotionally.
Accomplice: I know your time in the mortal world has been... terrifying. Painful. Numbing. But with the goal almost in your reach, can you not let yourself start healing?
Re: 377 some time after the game
Hades: Not only must I master time and travel amongst the stars.
Hades: But I must fight against those who oppose me at every turn.
Hades: Where even trying to divvy up the timelines was a solution they could not stomach.
Hades: Were Heaven to grant its protection on my star on their behalf, would I be able to save it?
Hades: Our victory is hardly assured.
Hades: I cannot afford to lose focus.
Hades: And you haven't seen me closed off. Do give me some benefit of the doubt.
Re: 377 some time after the game
Accomplice: You and Lahabrea need to both, at the same time, come and finally tell me everything. Because speaking to you separately paints completely different pictures before me.
Re: 377 some time after the game
Hades: There is naught else he can do.
Hades: It is his strength and his weakness.
Hades: Without his pure conviction of success we would have not gotten as far as we have.
Hades: We know we have our flaws, Levity. That we fool ourselves.
Hades: That we hide away and hold onto what is precious to us.
Hades: For that is how we have survived all these years.
Hades: And such cannot be undone so readily.
Hades: But if you truly wish to know, I will show you.
Hades: But not in Future is Now.
Re: 377 some time after the game
Accomplice: And... truly, I am glad you do realize those things.
Accomplice: I can't quite describe why it is relieving to me, but I felt the same with Absinthe. And Vergil too, in some ways.
Accomplice: Perhaps... because if you can admit it, maybe I can finally do something for you.
Re: 377 some time after the game
Hades: Though I will warn you my control over them has been rather shaky of late.
Hades: So there is a possibility of being dragged into a nightmare that I cannot control.
Hades: If you are willing to risk it.
Re: 377 some time after the game
Accomplice: I want to take my place by you again. And I want you to want me there.
Re: 377 some time after the game
378?
Accomplice: I'm ready.
Accomplice: Although a thought occurs: if you distrust your control of dreams lately, why not ask Lahabrea to help?
Accomplice: Moreover, I was not aware it was possible to lose control of our powers here like that...
Re: 378?
Hades: 'Tis no different than being frightened or letting your mind wander to dark places unable to pull it out. It is just simply amplified in the dream.
Hades: I will meet you shortly.
Hades: Good night, Levity.
[And he will pop up in Levity's dreams once he is asleep.]
Re: 378?
[And! Levity's dreams are busy but undefined, the mental equivalent of the feeling of being nudged to and fro in a crowd.
Levity himself is wearing his usual fin clothes, but a (suitably futuristic) eyepatch covers the eye that he lost in the game.]
Hades.
Re: 378?
You can see out of both eyes if you wish. Anything is possible in a dream.
Re: 378?
Ah... Just a moment, then.
[Lifts his eyepatch, blinks a few times--huh. Seems to work! And it's a regular eye, too!]
I assume your appearance has something to do with what you want to show me?
Re: 378?
[He doesn't change the landscape but simply starts to walk in a circle.]
I told you of the Final Days and the birth of the Will of the Star, Zodiark, did I not?
Re: 378?
You did. And I witnessed some part of the Final Days in a memory as well.
Re: 378?
By His power and His Grace was order restored, but our woes only grew from there.
Ere long, however, thankless fools began to fear that Zodiark's might was too great. From the fears of these naysayers would rise Hydaelyn, She who was to serve as His shackles, to bind Him and hold Him in check. And so they fought, and they fought, and they fought. And in the end...Hydaelyn was victorious. With all Her strength She smote Him dealing a blow so devastating that it split the very fabric of reality. And thus was Zodiark banished and His being divided.
This singular ability strikes not at such banal things as flesh, but everything that defines the target, diluting its existence. Everything reduced in all aspects - strength, intelligence, the very soul itself. This selfsame fate befell not only Zodiark, but the very star.
Only three of us were lucky enough to escape the Sundering.
Re: 378?
And fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, this is not far from what Levity has gathered from things both Emet and Cosmo have said. He nods, slowly. Just... focusing on trying to approach it as an outside thing, not something that affects him and people he loves so closely.
But he still can't held folding his arms as though to hug himself, posture growing a little tenser.]
...I wonder if I would call it luck. Witnessing all that and staying the only people alive.
Re: 378?
When all was done, all that was left were the shattered remnants of our home. A Source and its thirteen reflections.
The inhabitants of these fourteen fragments were feeble, frail, and foolish. Oblivious to their imperfection, ignorant of their past. Malformed creatures thrashing blindly about. Pitiful. Disturbing. Depressing. Again and again they would give rise to tragedy after tragedy.
So we took it upon ourselves to rejoin the worlds. That has been our great work since the world was Sundered. Work that both Lahabrea and I died before we could see its fruition.
Re: 378?
So this is apparently the part where he's supposed to start hating Emet or something.
But at the same time... he would be lying to himself if he denied that there is a part of him that feels frustrated with the ways of humanity, the things they do to one another. For all that this place is hell, mortal worlds seem to offer just as much suffering - if not more, sometimes. And out there, there is no quick way to heal, or feel better. Or sometimes even anyone to rely on.
He wants to believe in the best in people. He does. He still holds onto the idea that at their core people are kind and compassionate, that they seek purpose and fulfillment in life, not the suffering of others.
But he can't deny the fact that he has thought of them as foolish or blind. Not separate individuals, but people as a whole, a great mass constantly at odds with itself, unwilling to search for compromise...
He's quiet for a short time as those thoughts flash by, then nods again.]
And... is it the nature of the way you chose to rejoin the world that you fear telling me about?
Re: 378?
Re: 378?
You've mentioned numerous times there are those who would oppose the return. So the answer must be yes.
[A brief pause--]
Absinthe did hint quite clearly that you were responsible for destroying worlds. Or simply killing thousands. Is that what you thought would drive me from you?
Re: 378?
So yes.
Re: 378?
...Do you never find things I do or say foolish? Incorrect? Hurtful? And if you do, does it make you care for me any less?
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