[ He takes a week to lay some groundwork, despite his need to rest and recover from his strange, self-inflicted demise. Whatever he had done on behalf of John Gaius had resulted in his death, and to awaken from his pod to find both Quetzalcoatl and Liem present — watching over him — had definitely left its mark upon him. Whether for the betterment of himself, or the diligent worsening, would remain to be seen. The week is spent working in the Church, observing and working Alenroux, discussing certain matters with certain other Shardbearers and — most importantly, waiting for Liem Talbott to be concluded with his responsibility as one of the representatives of the new Ambassador program. His retainer will be left behind to keep him abreast of any pertinent activities among the Shardbearers, and his new aide in the Church will continue to ensure his presence there is not invisible.
Which leaves him free to finally, finally, chase down something he has been eager to since months prior. Since before the Iconoclast Oracle had awoken, perhaps since the moment he had assisted the explorers in locating a particular plant in the Beyond, only to come across an abandoned shrine and begin to wonder — who were the gods of Kenos? Who was worshipped here, and where had they gone? Asking Yima for her guidance had been a calculated effort, to remind her of his potential in her eyes and to glean the measure of her. Where would she point him, and why?
Liem is the only other individual he asks with him, on the adventure. There had been other considerations, of course — any of the individuals they had traveled with into the Beyond initially, Hayame or Ruby, even Jonathan Sims, who had expressed his empathy toward the creatures of Alenroux and the Beyond, and the desire to know of the past, the lost generations of Shardbearers, and the history hidden behind a veil of unknowability to them. It is Liem he asks to go with him. Because Liem is cutting and insightful, and will not stray from difficulty. Because, some part of him knows now, he can likely trust Liem — he can tether himself to their friendship, and resolve himself to let Liem know what he does, where he goes. The dealings he has.
They're already a few days into their journey, when Set finally confesses to him — not like that — while hovering near to the lake that Liem had found on his half of the exploration. They have a while to go yet, but Set is conversing with plants all the way, in search of the temple. They're heading in the right direction. ]
For my work with the Mnemosyno Gathering, Hieropoios Natalia gave me a boon. I asked her to strengthen my relationship with the Church. Knowing what we know about it, there is a high likelihood that it is poised to take drastic measures to ensure Meridian's victory. The sale of shards, the gathering of shadows that John Gaius told me of. Hieropoios Natalia knows she was present for the previous Oracle war, but her memories — and perhaps those of anyone else involved in it that is still alive — are muddled. I think having an in within the Church is vital and,
[ He pauses his clambering, hefting a rock as if preparing to skip it across the lake. ]
I would rather uncover whatever they're up to before any Zenites do, and ruin us. What do you think?
[JULY] closed, liem talbott.
Which leaves him free to finally, finally, chase down something he has been eager to since months prior. Since before the Iconoclast Oracle had awoken, perhaps since the moment he had assisted the explorers in locating a particular plant in the Beyond, only to come across an abandoned shrine and begin to wonder — who were the gods of Kenos? Who was worshipped here, and where had they gone? Asking Yima for her guidance had been a calculated effort, to remind her of his potential in her eyes and to glean the measure of her. Where would she point him, and why?
Liem is the only other individual he asks with him, on the adventure. There had been other considerations, of course — any of the individuals they had traveled with into the Beyond initially, Hayame or Ruby, even Jonathan Sims, who had expressed his empathy toward the creatures of Alenroux and the Beyond, and the desire to know of the past, the lost generations of Shardbearers, and the history hidden behind a veil of unknowability to them. It is Liem he asks to go with him. Because Liem is cutting and insightful, and will not stray from difficulty. Because, some part of him knows now, he can likely trust Liem — he can tether himself to their friendship, and resolve himself to let Liem know what he does, where he goes. The dealings he has.
They're already a few days into their journey, when Set finally confesses to him — not like that — while hovering near to the lake that Liem had found on his half of the exploration. They have a while to go yet, but Set is conversing with plants all the way, in search of the temple. They're heading in the right direction. ]
For my work with the Mnemosyno Gathering, Hieropoios Natalia gave me a boon. I asked her to strengthen my relationship with the Church. Knowing what we know about it, there is a high likelihood that it is poised to take drastic measures to ensure Meridian's victory. The sale of shards, the gathering of shadows that John Gaius told me of. Hieropoios Natalia knows she was present for the previous Oracle war, but her memories — and perhaps those of anyone else involved in it that is still alive — are muddled. I think having an in within the Church is vital and,
[ He pauses his clambering, hefting a rock as if preparing to skip it across the lake. ]
I would rather uncover whatever they're up to before any Zenites do, and ruin us. What do you think?