THE SOOT OF IGNORANCE: RISING ACTION

[beleos]

BETWEEN UNCONTROLLED ESCALATION & UNENDING PASSIVITY

The moonlit city of Highstorm has always been a tranquil location.

Its people, passionate about the steady leadership of Zenith's leader — Lady Yima — begin their movements slowly and deliberately. Following the lead of their most trusted Shard-Bearers and the word of their Lady, activity in Highstorm begins to increase in the vicinity of Yima's Manor. The Court, the town square outside of it, becomes a hotbed of bustle and voices. Personnel and attendants rush around with documentation, stirring others to action. A select few figures gather the full force of their long-standing houses, calling on family bonds and their own castellans to assist the efforts that build over the course of a few days.

For the tranquility of Highstorm is only ever punctuated by its decisiveness, its faith that their path is the correct one — and now, they will prove it.

In a trickle-down effort, from the most loyal Zenites to the newest, the news unfolds for them: Amos Burton has been tasked by Lady Yima herself to turn the tides back in Zenith's favor. He is to end the life of the 34th Tribune, Cyrus Marcius Germanus Kokkinos, alongside the fortune who have found their way into Zenith's graces. In the earliest hours of the invasion, the figure of Yima herself steps out onto the balcony of her quarters — the highest point of the Manor — with her robes soft around her body and hands extended to her people. Her silence is punctuated by glowing feelings of pride that flow through the hearts and minds of every last sworn Zenite, bolstering their resolve and encouraging them with the cool, ever-flowing might of the people who look to Zenith's Shard-Bearers for their victory.

She sees them off with unspoken sentiments of love, confidence in them — the whispered promises that she knows they are ready to see the war through. And perhaps none of them will know that it is the last time they see her.

For in the sun-dappled sprawl of Springstar, their target awaits them.

The bustle of the city has always been without reservation; the bright and airy attitudes of militant citizenry look on with confidence and celebratory warmth as their Shard-Bearers have brought them to a marginal advancement over their enemies. While Tribune Cyrus's popularity has waned, there are alternative avenues they have begun to explore — the figure of Agapitos Voreen has become deeply popular, with savvy statements, an easy confidence and a willingness to deny Zenith any room to breathe, he is a shoe-in for future Tribune, whenever the next elections are held.

Which is why, in between one moment and the next, the city is rocked by the efforts of their opposition. Zenite-aligned Shard-Bearers and the small house armies of Yima's most loyal core families fill the streets with chaotic distractions, ranging from duels with the Helios Legionnaire to direct attacks on civilians. ( Where does your character draw the line, if they care to? Will it matter in the long run, do they believe? ) Appearing from several Cornerstones hidden within the city's confines from missions long past, tracking the movements of Legionnaires and Shard-Bearers alike from the placement of listening gems and tracking spells, even rising from the bowels of Kowloon to trap the city in a pincer movement — Highstorm goes on the offensive.

Springstar puts up a valiant resistance in return; however, within twenty-four hours, Zenite Shard-Bearers will have hunted down, cornered and slain the Tribune. In that moment, Meridian-aligned Shard-Bearers will feel a splitting pain: the suddenness of having an integral element of their power ripped from them, the sensation akin to being crushed, gasping under the weight of Zenith's swell. The last trickle of emotion from Cyrus for them is a gentle warmth, fondness and forgiveness and the purity of his confidence in them. He believes in them, he always has, and he prays and hopes for their victory even though he will not be around to see it become reality, now.

His death is announced the following day by his assistant Cetina, the deer-morph girl choking back angry tears as she — with a furious and tearful General Ayo Zaman and the somber, mournful figure of Hieropoios Natalia at her side — lambasts Highstorm for the act of aggression, attempts to rouse the city and Meridian's hope, and pledges that she will not let her best friend's murderers escape her vengeance.

Hours after Cetina's message, in the far corner of Highstorm — following the people's celebrations and rejoicing in their strike, the delight in the might of their Shard-Bearers and the renewed passions of their people in pursuit of their victory — a brilliant, golden beam of sunlight pierces the eternal night of the city.

In an instant, the balcony upon which Yima had stood and the rooms beyond it — in fact, the entirety of the Manor, is engulfed in fire and light. The Manor falls, crumbling in upon itself as debris cascades into the living quarters of Shard-bearers and partially topples into the Court beyond. While the Tree of Life, the Reflecting Pools and many businesses around the Court escape extensive damage, the Manor itself is in shambles. And in the wake, many Zenite Shard-Bearers will feel the suddenness of having an integral element of their power ripped from them, the sensation akin to being crushed, gasping under the weight of Meridian's swell. In the wake of the strike, there is a deep silence within them.

Any attempts to contact Yima are met with the same silence a Shard-Bearer feels when reaching out to another who has left the world entirely. And with that, both sides are left to pick up the pieces and weigh the consequences of their actions.

ADDITIONAL MATTERS

During ( and in the wake of both assaults ), there is plenty for any Unharmonized Shard-Bearers and more moderate Meris/Zenites to partake in. Damage has been wrought to both cities at differing times, and there is a degree of life lost no matter the best efforts of those who value innocents over the price enacted by acts of war.

In Springstar, the citizenry has been ravaged by attacks stemming from the depths of Kowloon: as monsters in the form of both individuals with unusual appetites (cannibals and vampires, for example) and heavily-drugged, superpowered addicts have been finding their way into the city, slaughtering civilians indiscreetly, picking fights with the Legionary, and engaging in general criminal mischief and violence. Following Zenith's assault and subsequent assassination, the city will be on high alert and be deeply hostile toward Zenith-aligned Shard-Bearers, as well as mistrustful towards any Unharmonized ( for good reason: they might still Harmonize with Zenith! ). After the day of the attack, the attacks drop off significantly, but do not vanish entirely, for now that some have gotten a taste, it will take time for Yura to reign them in once more.

The people of the city turn to their Shard-Bearers in the wake of their Tribune's murder; even though his popularity had waned, it isn't as though his death doesn't affect them! Deeply concerned and frightened for their future, they demand information about what will be done to protect the city from another assault like this? Some civilians will turn to the church, or perhaps community leaders, but it seems very few turn to the legionary, after they were so focused on the attacks that they missed the forest for the trees. Their trust in their military leaders is waning, and they’re looking for answer. Some community leaders have tried to soften the hurt and anger of Springstar’s people, but they look toward those whom were not a part of the current establishment to answers.

In Highstorm, Yima's Manor lays in shambles, but the rest of the city is unharmed. Shard-Bearers who were living in the Manor will find that their living quarters suffered from the collapse and subsequent fires, but any precious items/belongings they had in their rooms can be recovered after sifting through the rubble. One of Yima’s most trusted, Florence, seems to be taking the reigns of control, and while there are still pockets of the manor that remain on the outskirts of the building itself, she encourages any Zenites who had not moved out to move on quickly, since what is left should be used by any newcomers who need shelter, and not those whom have had the opportunity to make bonds, and have allies that they can rely on.

The main issue now plaguing Zenites is the sudden, overwhelming crowd that begins to gather in the Court, demanding information from them about Yima's safety — they are frantic, and rightfully concerned about further assaults of that incendiary degree from Meridian. The city will be on high alert and be deeply hostile toward Meridian-aligned Shard-Bearers, as well as mistrustful towards any Unharmonized ( for good reason: they might still Harmonize with Meridian! ). The Manor itself is almost entirely destroyed, with only a shell of the outskirts left, and though those who are left are already trying to sift through the rubble, they are often overcome by their sorrow, and it is not uncommon in the wake of Meridian’s destruction to find some of Yima’s most loyal in distress, for the loss of their leader.

A LIGHTHOUSE AGAINST THE ENCROACHING STORM

A few months ago, all current Shard-Bearers experienced a mass dreaming event, full of teeming darkness and a pervasive sense of terror. Following the death of Cyrus and the "presumed loss" of Yima, all Shard-Bearers will receive yet another dream.

This one is a simple, direct thing: rife with a haunting sense of being watched, observed as if from the reeds and brush by a hunter. Whatever your power level, however skilled you are and confident you are in your place, your decisions, your heart will quake before the severe impression of something prowling at your heels. Just out of sight, but never out of mind. Every Shard-Bearer's shard will wrench free of their body upon waking, falling from their physical form as if to flee this sensation of something waiting, patient, for the right moment to pounce.

Echoing in the back of their mind, a wordless, shapeless promise lingers: Forward, or back. Back, or forward. Dart and weave, flit and flutter, scamper and scurry. We are here, now. In the back of every mind, what was in the process of coming before is — it is here, now. Looming right above, waiting for the outcome, watching for which way the last lives at the end of existence will flee.

Upon awakening from the mass dream-become-nightmare, Shard-bearers will slowly become aware of the exacerbation of previous events that have been persisting since October. These events are no longer subtle, and will impact everyone regardless of faction allegiance, with purposefully targeted strikes:

— Darkness has spread within Springstar. Wherever there is shadow cast by person, object or building, it has deepened, darkened, and grown in size. Walking through any shadowed area or touching a darkened shadow will fill a Shard-bearer who enters that area with feelings of dread, of something lingering just out of sight, of danger prickling along their spine, and entice them to run and flee. If they are not quick enough, an unseen entity savages them — aiming directly for wherever their Shard is hidden and held. They are being hunted.

— Light has spread within Highstorm. Starlight and moonlight seem to sear what they touch, leaving patches of bleached-white scars upon person, object or building. Being touched by the light or coming into contact with a white-scarred entity will fill a Shard-bearer with feelings of malaise, like they should simply lay down and accept what comes next. Suffocating hands waiting to pin them down. Even in the safety of the shadows, the scourging glow of any light reaches for them and rakes across their bodies, seeking the place where their Shard is hidden or held. Ravaging them with hot-and-cold burns. They are being sacrificed.

— Shard-bearers readily become lost in familiar places, as if their homes and bastions of safety and security have become strange ( estranged? ) from their minds. The route to that favorite haunt ( perhaps even their own place of business ) eludes them, and searching for it alone becomes an impossibility. It takes another Shard-bearer, at times, to aid them in breaking free of the mild befuddlement. You're just tired. It's just the strain getting to you.

— Citizens of both Springstar and Highstorm continue to speak about neighbors who have 'suddenly moved away', or the disappearance of a favored shop or cafe. Some mention favorite, useful landmarks vanishing, causing them to forget where they are coming from, or where they are going. When directly asked about this circumstance, they shrug and declare that it happens all the time these days. In fact, there's nothing to really be done about it. And if pressed, the citizenry's eyes go glassy and expressions become confused as they ask who, what, where, and why their Shard-Bearer has begun asking them such strange questions. None seem bothered by this strange occurrence, as if all is well and normal.

— Shard-bearers will begin to see familiar faces in crowds, standing on street corners, peering through their private windows, waving them down at their familiar haunts. People from their own worlds, loved and hated alike rush for them — adoring and hostile alike. Family members and friends who seem to attempt to meet their eyes before the crowd swallows them up; loved ones who should be captured in Shards try to flag them down, calling their names and asking them where have you been? what's going on?; enemies and abusers seem to advance upon them, pushing their way forth hungrily. And then they are gone, but not before leaving behind the impression, the strange sensation that, they are real. Really there. If only for a moment.

OOC & (IMMEDIATE) WORLD CHANGES

The full document for this event can be found here!

So, what does the world look like now that this has all gone down?

The world of Kenos ripples from the effects of our players!

Springstar is (mostly) physically unharmed, though the population has been reduced thanks to the number of murders and criminal mischief that has taken place during the attack. Damage seems constrained to things like broken doors and windows, looted property, and murdered civilians, though the severity is up to how many defend Springstar from the concentrated might of Ryad’s regulars, and a practical army of addicts rising from the depths below the city.

The leadership of Springstar is also shaken, though there are procedures in place for this – if one is particularly studious, they will recall that this is not the first Tribune that has been assassinated, though it is the first in a long while – and the Church and the Legionary have stepped in to maintain the peace while elections begin to be arranged.

Cyrus’s body is interred publically at the Church in Heliopolis for a week after his passing, before his body is immolated during a service, his soul returned to the Tree of Life. Those who attend will feel the light of Meridian fill them, and their Discord may be reduced by one level thanks to the warm hope that fills them, even as they despair at the loss of their leadership. Meridian calls to its most loyal, and asks them to do what they do best, show hope and unending resolve, when things look to be their most hopeless.

Highstorm is another story. The destruction wrought is more property, but the number of people who were within the manor is difficult to count until a week or two after the destruction has been evaluated, and cleanup has begun. The loss of life is not devastating compared to what was leveled upon Springstar, but perhaps the most distressing is that Yima is not present. Florence reassures those in Highstorm with her calming, but firm presence.

With few of Yima’s softer adorations to be found, Florence instead pushes the faithful to muster their will and begin the recovery efforts. After all, they have long proven to have faith in Yima’s guidance, and they should believe in it now when it is difficult. It is not the first time their fortitude has been tested, after all.

Her words fill those in Zenith with a sense of calm resolve, and they may feel their distress and discord from this destruction alleviating slightly. Highstorm’s government works smoothly without Yima, and those who are interested in history will be able to see Florence’s name throughout the annals, as one that would guide Yima’s faithful when the matron was in convalescence, or respite. What Zenith does best, after all, is build something new when faced with destruction. Consider this a primer for your new world, to help bring the faithful back from the brink of their despair.

The unharmonized have a choice, as they so often do. This time, however, the stakes appear even higher than before. The cities are not as welcoming as they once were, and those that have not chosen are beseeched by the civilians of both Highstorm and Springstar. ‘Do you not understand what they’ve taken from us, and what they will in days to come? You cannot let this continue, standing on the sidelines. Imagine the ways in which you could help us,’ they beg, and it feels as though your neutrality will become increasingly inconvenient, as time goes on.

What can we expect next?

As the month of Pelu ( aka March ) dawns, you will begin to feel it. Something tugs at you.

Those who have lived through more than one will feel that anticipatory anxiety rise, as the next oracle is coming. Are you ready to fight to claim it, even when it feels so dark, and even when everything feels different, and harder? Do you look to the stars, and dream of your home? Or do you gaze outward, into nothing, and dream of what you will make from the ashes?

Anticipate the oracle in the coming month of Pelu, and to learn more about those that will step into the voids left by Cyrus and Yima.

And as always!

Questions can be directed here!

Individuals less-inclined to busy themselves with either effort, or looking for a way to gain a foothold/explore the world can report here for exploration attempts. We recommend examining the Kenos Wiki's Locations for ideas, if you don't know where to start. Or! Ask someone in the Discord Server for a recommendation, we have long-time players eager to help.

Lastly, remember that Cyrus and Yima will be a little occupied this time around, but anyone who might ICly have reason to contact them regarding the brewing troubles can do so here!

CODING

Comments

iii

[clockpunk]

[ the few days after the attack run together in a blur, the exhaustion heavy on chrono's shoulders. he'd done what he could at the time, and had finally patched most of his own wounds, but the toll the entire situation had taken on his body was unlike anything he'd ever felt before.

plus there were the nightmares. the ones that could only be false brain-constructs were almost a comfort after the dream that literally had his soul leaving his body.

the cafes he'd come to haunt were becoming increasingly difficult to find. this could be chalked up to the general disorganisation of the post-war city, but springstar hadn't been difficult to navigate before that. he was just tired.

...so was this guy, apparently, getting furtive glances from the other patrons. unharmonized, then.

chrono buys him a coffee, and brings it over with his own. ]

Hey. You okay?

[ex_fend346]

[ The sound of a voice near at hand stirs Subaru immediately, jolting in his seat and looking around. He spots the boy who'd spoken to him soon enough, seeing as most of the locals have given him a wide berth. It so happened that the proprietor was one of the people he'd protected during the attack, but Subaru recognizes it's the sole reason his presence is tolerated.

Overnight, people like him have turned into loaded weapons that could be aimed in either direction. He understands, yet how is he to choose a side when he believes neither can succeed? ]

Yes, I'm fine. [ Fine enough. In acceptable condition. Mostly. ] Just a little tired, though I didn't mean to sleep here...

[ No doubt that could have become troublesome to the people around him, especially if he'd slept into the busy hours. Subaru had made a point of avoiding such times, for the sake of others. ]

Am I in your way?

[ He sees the two coffees and assumes the boy must have a companion around here. ]

[clockpunk]

Nah, not at all. [ an attempt at a comforting smile crosses chrono's face, but the shadows under his eyes dampen the effect a bit. he nudges the coffee closer to subaru. ] S'for you. You looked like you could use it.

[ he leans back slightly with his own coffee (one sugar and cream) in hand, raising his gaze to sweep over the other customers. those that made eye contact quickly broke it, busying themselves with their drinks. chrono guessed he looked harsher than he was intending to.

he leans his elbows on the table and sighs. ]

This sucks, huh?

[ex_fend346]

Oh.

[ Subaru watches the coffee, hesitant. He has always inclined more toward sweet things, and coffee is intensely bitter to his vampire palate... Yet it is a gift, and it would be rude of him to waste it when someone was trying to be kind to him.

So, carefully, as though the coffee cup is some incredibly fragile thing, Subaru picks it up. In part, he simply fears his weariness will make him drop it, but he manages. ]

Yes, it is...troubling, to say the least.

[ Showing up here only for all hell to break loose is certainly an experience. He sips the coffee delicately, trying and failing to keep from scrunching his nose. ]

[clockpunk]

[ watching subaru deliberate and fail to disguise his dislike over the rim of his own cup, chrono leans over to the unoccupied table next to theirs to steal the sugar bowl. maybe that would help, as a mood booster if nothing else.

with that thought, he takes another spoonful for himself as well. ]

I'm Chrono Shindou, by the way. You been here long?

[ the vague wave of his hand could mean this shop specifically or all of kenos. it's left broad for a reason. ]

[ex_fend346]

My name is Subaru.

[ Just Subaru. He eyes the sugar, though he makes no move for it until Chrono appears quite finished spooning some into his own coffee, instead patiently waiting. After all, Chrono may decide he'd like a little more than that, and Subaru would hardly want to impede his access to it.

As for his question, regardless of how Subaru interprets it, the answer remains the same: ]

I've not been here all that long. And yourself?

[clockpunk]

Nope. Probably about the same as you.

[ he interprets it the broader way, since a whole bunch of them showed up at once, right? that, and staying unharmonized for longer than that seemed... difficult, even before all these tense happenings.

subaru's hesitance and exhaustion are pretty obvious, so chrono lowers his voice a little. ]

Didn't mean to wake you, by the way. If you're still tired, you can sleep a little more.

[ex_fend346]

Oh, no, I hadn't meant to—

[ Subaru hastily waves off the suggestion, only to cut off his train of thought when he nearly dumps his coffee in the process. After fumbling to avoid that particular blunder, he tries again. ]

It wasn't my intention to sleep here... I'm just not at my best.

[ His recovery from fending off the monsters attacking Springstar has been unfortunately sluggish. It's what comes of not harmonizing, he supposes. The experience is surreal, considering he's been rendered weaker than he has ever been. ]

I've been told I'll be my old self again if I harmonize.

[clockpunk]

I-if you're sure.

[ oh, buddy. chrono startles a bit, concerned subaru might burn himself in his haste. it's a relief when that doesn't happen, but chrono takes the cup from subaru's hands anyway and sets it on the table.

a frown creases his forehead at the notion of their "old self" being the result of harmonization. ]

Dunno who told you that, but it's only sort of true. [ he flexes his right hand, where his shard sits in the back of it. ] I just felt weird either way.

[ex_fend346]

[ Subaru offers no resistance when the cup is taken, opting to fold his hands primly on his lap. ]

Several people at this point have told me that it's why I'm weaker than I ought to be.

[ So it follows that it must be why his senses are dulled, or so he reasons. Subaru has never found himself affected in this way. His own body feels foreign to him, incapable of what came naturally all his long life.

His gaze drops to his hands before he adds: ]

...Not that I can be sure I'm capable of harmonizing to begin with.

[clockpunk]

Oh, that way. I get it.

[ as a normal human, chrono hadn't experienced the effects of the unharmonized depowering. the powering of suddenly being able to cast magic was stranger than how he'd felt when he was fresh out of the ground. but for subaru, who must have something limiting, he can understand how strange it must be to be without. ]

The decision is stupid, actually. Especially after all this.

[ sure, he's harmonized. that doesn't mean it wasn't stupid to have to do. ]

[ex_fend346]

[ Before responding, Subaru steals a cautious glance around. Deeming no one near enough to listen in, he quietly voices his opinion, imagining Chrono won't take offense to it. Naturally soft as his voice is, it isn't liable to carry far. ]

I don't believe either side can achieve their goal.

[ And that's the crux of it — why he thinks he may simply be unable. Who would want someone in their ranks who genuinely thinks the end goal is impossible? ]

To say nothing of how little information there seems to be.

[clockpunk]

[ leaning in conspiratorially, the careful admission has chrono nodding in agreement. nevertheless, he was able to harmonize just fine. ]

I mean, same. Not right now. [ he sighs, rubbing his temples. exhaustion had settled deep into his mind, and his already clumsy way with words felt even more uncoordinated than usual. ] Like, everything's way too vague, right?

[ex_fend346]

That's what I've been thinking. We're provided so little explanation for anything, yet they expect us to fight.

[ To battle people they hardly know, who aren't their enemies in reality. They hail from different worlds, so what enmity could they have for one another? Yet they're evidently to be pitted against one another, come next Oracle.

Even if he doesn't harmonize, Subaru knows he'd not be exempt. Others before him evidently were not. ]

How can these Oracles be enough to determine the future of worlds?

[clockpunk]

People like this love hiding things. Not knowing makes people push harder.

[ it's from experience. yes, many people that had driven him with half-truths had been doing so to protect him, but more had been using information like a carrot on a stick. both factions definitely felt more like the latter.

chrono is quiet for a long moment, sipping halfheartedly at his coffee. ]

Believing in a future you desire... is enough, I think. Not a "how" but a "when".

[ex_fend346]

[ It's true enough. Subaru would be foolish fo argue the case. Calculated ignorance can be wielded in a variety of ways by those who have the answerd. He can only have distaste for it, but the reality can't be denied.

As for the future... Subaru considers that thought with a quiet hum. ]

I only wish to find my brother.

[ In such a very long time, fleeing across worlds, all they really had was one another. Kamui had waited for him, and now he must be waiting again, somewhere. ]

That must seem inconseqiential when there's talk of the fates of worlds, but still...

[ Subaru's desires have always been modest. ]

[clockpunk]

I don't think so.

[ it's sincere, gentle. simply wanting to protect the people closest to you was a better motivator than most. comfort was often found in people rather than places.

chrono downs the rest of his coffee. ]

If he's your goal, there's nothing wrong with that.

[ex_fend346]

It's kind of you to say so.

[ There's a measure of gratitude in Subaru's quiet voice. Having seen for himself just how...fervent some of those whose arrival preceded his can be, he'd only found himself even more unsure why he is here. The fate of worlds doesn't feel as though it's within his purview.

What more or better could he ask for than finding his twin? Neither of them had grand ambitions. A hunter pursued them, so they fled. That was all. ]

That just leaves the small matter of whether I'll find him here or in some other place.

[ A quirk of his lips suggests his weak attempt at humor. ]

[clockpunk]

[ chrono offers a tired smile in return.

contrarily, the fate of worlds was not new to chrono in the slightest. the weariness he'd felt since awaking under the tree was a direct result of going through one more apocalypse. in fact, he wasn't even sure it wasn't the same one he'd just left from.

did he mess it up? was it his fault? everyone had worked so hard to prevent it, so why was he the only one here? he just wanted to go home and rest. ]

Even if it's a small matter, some extra help can't hurt, right?

[ex_fend346]

I imagine it wouldn't.

[ Though as something so deeply personal, Subaru can hardly expect outside help in achieving such a goal. Whether either side would better suit his pursuits is something else he ought to consider.

But first he ventures to heap some sugar into that coffee so he doesn't let it go go waste. ]

What do you hope for?

[clockpunk]

[ ah, there he goes. that sweet tooth will be something chrono remembers if they run into each other in a place like this again. ]

Me? Uh...

[ being harmonized, the question felt more like a prompt to justify his decision, even though he's pretty sure subaru had meant it much more innocently than that. it's not as if he didn't understand the appeal of zenith, the gifts being offered by - well, previously by yima. however he hadn't hesitated for long before making his choice, even if he was dissatisfied by so many of the details. ]

I've fought for my world before, so I'm frustrated that effort... mm, went to waste?

[ a frown, and a sigh. he tips his head back to look up at the ceiling. it's clear he has more on his mind about that, but he opts to ignore it for now. ]

I just want to go home. I won't give up on it so easily.

[ex_fend346]

[ Once Subaru has doctored the coffee sufficienctly enough, he picks the cup up with both hands this time. As Chrono responds, he listens quietly, taking delicate sips of his now very sugared beverage. ]

Your home must be very important to you.

[ A simple observation, lacking for any particular judgement one way or another. It may be strange that Subaru feels little attachment to his own, having fled it so long ago. All that remained was him and his brother, but if he looks at his sole remaining family as his world, he doesn't think it's terribly different. ]

...May I ask what it was like fighting for it previously?

[clockpunk]

...quiet, for a while.

[ chrono falters over several false starts trying formulate his explanation, expression flickering between frustration and weariness as if he can't pinpoint the emotion he should be feeling. ]

Low-key manipulation type stuff, that I didn't get told about until I figured out it was happening on my own. When everything suddenly got, like, more open? It got harder.

[ he'd failed several times, been propped up by allies and given second chances through literal divine intervention. protect and be protected. ]

We didn't fight like- [ he waves vaguely around them. ] -this. It was through a game, mostly. Proxy battles, using a game from my world called Vanguard. Even with that, people still got hurt. A friend of mine almost died, even before the fight started to be more public.

[ he presses a hand to his forehead. ]

Sorry, this explanation sucks. It was really complicated.

[ex_fend346]

[ Fortunately(?), Subaru is a dimension-hopping vampire who has evidently been at it for quite some time. There isn't any knowing just how many oddities he's seen. Even so, he thinks he follows the explanation that he's been provided, listening intently until Chrono is finished speaking.

And, yes, while chipping away at his coffee. ]

So you were made to participate without your knowledge at first, through the guise of a game... It sounds quite insidious.

[ Imagine thinking that what one was doing was inconsequential, just for fun, and then the reality proves to be something entirely different... Subaru can only imagine what that must have been like.

Of all the worlds he's seen, that is a new notion. ]

[clockpunk]

Yeah, that's it. [ he blinks in surprise, a little impressed. ] You figured it out from that?

[ being kept in the dark had come from both angles, which had been particularly frustrating. chipping away at the little information he had was a tiring endeavour. ]

I don't regret it at all, though. Vanguard opened the world to me.

[ that's not the part he regrets.

he gives subaru a careful, considering look. it really was impressive how easily he'd been able to understand the disjointed description chrono had given... ]

Were you with your brother? Before you woke up here?