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Entry tags:
- !event,
- arcane: silco,
- arknights: gavial,
- black butler: sebastian michaelis,
- culture (the): demeisen,
- divinity original sin: fane,
- enderal: jade the prophetess,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- fate grand order: tezcatlipoca,
- fate/: rin tohsaka,
- fate/: sakamoto ryouma,
- fire emblem: shez,
- fire emblem: yuri leclerc,
- forgotten realms: raphael,
- howl's moving castle: howl,
- jinba: hayame,
- legend of zelda (the): link,
- life is strange: chloe price,
- oc: liem talbott,
- oc: matt jamison,
- pumpkin scissors: alice l. malvin,
- suikoden: yuber,
- terra e: tony asuka,
- tsubasa reservoir chronicle: subaru
THE ADVOCATE ORACLE - A RIP VAN WINKLE IN TIME
Sweet dreams are made of Bliss
As the twilight falls, and bearers begin to tuck in for their evenings on the night of the 15th of March (OOC time) and whether they tuck themselves into bed fully, or simply drift away in the middle of their dinner, work, indulgences, or what have you; bearers will fall into a deep, deep sleep. Perhaps you slump in your chair, or you wrap your arms around a teddy bear, or partner, or cup a precious shard in your sleep, it doesn’t matter, because as you drift away, into a sleep that seems to tug you under like the undertow itself, a question will echo in bearer’s minds: “If given the choice, would you show compassion in the face of adversity?”
It sticks with you, even as you fall into a dreamless sleep. As if it rotates in your mind, over and over, letting you worm over that. You know for certain what it is, that it is the calming, soothing voice of the Oracle, reaching out to you across the ether, telling you – promise you – that if you accept its promise, you will find that the Oracle could be in your hands. That thought leads you to dream of something else – of home, or your loved ones – of what you are fighting this war for. Even as you dream, you feel a presence next to you, and unlike the Harbinger’s winding, rough digging, this is more akin to a friend, who is asking you soft, coaxing questions. Things like: what was your childhood like? What were your friends like? What did you do? You cannot help but think of them, think of your home and your loved ones. Of where you came from, and how it made you what you are.
The advocate seeks to understand you, and where you come from. You can feel it, that overwhelming Acceptance and love from it, even as you reminisce, compelled to answer the multitude of questions, you can feel something building behind you, around you. “Don’t you want them all to understand this?” the impression is given through communion, and you cannot help but answer: yes.
It sticks with you, even as you fall into a dreamless sleep. As if it rotates in your mind, over and over, letting you worm over that. You know for certain what it is, that it is the calming, soothing voice of the Oracle, reaching out to you across the ether, telling you – promise you – that if you accept its promise, you will find that the Oracle could be in your hands. That thought leads you to dream of something else – of home, or your loved ones – of what you are fighting this war for. Even as you dream, you feel a presence next to you, and unlike the Harbinger’s winding, rough digging, this is more akin to a friend, who is asking you soft, coaxing questions. Things like: what was your childhood like? What were your friends like? What did you do? You cannot help but think of them, think of your home and your loved ones. Of where you came from, and how it made you what you are.
The advocate seeks to understand you, and where you come from. You can feel it, that overwhelming Acceptance and love from it, even as you reminisce, compelled to answer the multitude of questions, you can feel something building behind you, around you. “Don’t you want them all to understand this?” the impression is given through communion, and you cannot help but answer: yes.
Click your Heels together, Dorothy!
As you awake for the first time, it’s alien, the world that meets you. New smells fill your nostrils, new sights, the gravity is perhaps different than you’ve gotten used to on Kenos, even those slight shifts enough to make the world feel wholly different. You remember the advocate’s words, and it wants you to feel what it feels. Understanding. Compassion, and perhaps there is a sense that doing so would hurt yourself in turn, if you understood too much. That is the advocate’s way, after all, isn’t it?
You feel an inexorable, slight tug in your chest. Something subtle and gentle, the slightest of sensations, that gives you a direction. You know it, your mind only just now comprehending the advocate’s confusing impressions via communion, that there is something of this world’s… Soul/center/heart or whatever word you want to use for it. Something about this world that will help you along your path, and help you with the results you so desire. You know it will not guarantee a victory, but surely it will help. Especially as your numbers dwindle from world to world. You are left with an impression from the Advocate -- if you die, they cannot bring you back. There is apology in this, but alone, one oracle is limited. Only united, can they truly change your fate.
The lingering presence of the advocate starts to fade. You know this is a bearer’s world, if not your own. You look around, to see perhaps a familiar face nearby? Or perhaps you are alone. Does it matter? You know that this place belongs to a bearer, but whether they are a friend or an enemy, one has to begin to determine that. You’ll need your wits, you’ll need your strength and resolve to make it to the end of this, won’t you?
After all, as bearers were recently reminded: this is War. This is not simply the fate of this world, but perhaps all, as it will require you to find the answer to this question. So you start to move, you start to look around, explore, and search. For the soul of each world, for the bearers that lie dreaming within, and your foes that will seek you out. Stay steadfast, for the way out will come, if you make it to the end. The longer you spend in each world, however, the more the shadows look darker, and deeper. Hungrier. The more the spaces seem smaller or compressed. As if there is something gnawing away at the sides, making their way to the heart.
You feel an inexorable, slight tug in your chest. Something subtle and gentle, the slightest of sensations, that gives you a direction. You know it, your mind only just now comprehending the advocate’s confusing impressions via communion, that there is something of this world’s… Soul/center/heart or whatever word you want to use for it. Something about this world that will help you along your path, and help you with the results you so desire. You know it will not guarantee a victory, but surely it will help. Especially as your numbers dwindle from world to world. You are left with an impression from the Advocate -- if you die, they cannot bring you back. There is apology in this, but alone, one oracle is limited. Only united, can they truly change your fate.
The lingering presence of the advocate starts to fade. You know this is a bearer’s world, if not your own. You look around, to see perhaps a familiar face nearby? Or perhaps you are alone. Does it matter? You know that this place belongs to a bearer, but whether they are a friend or an enemy, one has to begin to determine that. You’ll need your wits, you’ll need your strength and resolve to make it to the end of this, won’t you?
After all, as bearers were recently reminded: this is War. This is not simply the fate of this world, but perhaps all, as it will require you to find the answer to this question. So you start to move, you start to look around, explore, and search. For the soul of each world, for the bearers that lie dreaming within, and your foes that will seek you out. Stay steadfast, for the way out will come, if you make it to the end. The longer you spend in each world, however, the more the shadows look darker, and deeper. Hungrier. The more the spaces seem smaller or compressed. As if there is something gnawing away at the sides, making their way to the heart.
Around the world in 60 seconds 12 hours
When you find yourself at the end, when you close your eyes – only a blink, but it hangs, as if the momentary motion is enough to suspend you into a suspended space before. You can see the two options stretched out before you – metaphysically – the impression of it. A long, long shadow cast over one. As if there is a presence hovering over and above, like waiting jaws, ready to strike. In the other, there remains…nothing. It is not pleasant, it is not comforting, it simply… is. A sense that there is now a lack of anything, almost like it had never existed before.
Does this world have value? You can feel the Advocate ask. Do you want to give them a chance to live? Or does should this world cease, is there nothing here to save?
And though you are compelled, required to answer, you know this question for what it is. Short-sighted. Both, in the end, will lead to its destruction, but which will you choose? Will you allow the world to continue, even with that long shadow cast, like a hungry beast with snapping jaws; or will you erase it from existence and spare it that oncoming apocalypse?
Does this world have value? You can feel the Advocate ask. Do you want to give them a chance to live? Or does should this world cease, is there nothing here to save?
And though you are compelled, required to answer, you know this question for what it is. Short-sighted. Both, in the end, will lead to its destruction, but which will you choose? Will you allow the world to continue, even with that long shadow cast, like a hungry beast with snapping jaws; or will you erase it from existence and spare it that oncoming apocalypse?
Catch [???] Winks
The last world’s fate decided, bearers float in an endless sea of stars. You can see them all, spread before you. Intermittently, they wink out, swallowed into the darkness, consumed as the shadows, that inky-black nothingness grows ever-larger. It looks upon you, bearers. It is nothing, but you have its attention, and your blood runs cold, your limbs frozen. You cannot move, you cannot speak, you cannot breathe. You feel it, the power of being drawn into it, like it wants to consume you. Like it knows you.
T̸̢̼̯͓̬̘́̀̋̆͊h̷͔̣̱̝͍̬̣͕̄̂͗̆͒͌͜ͅẹ̶̱̩̅͒̿̇͠ ̵̭̹͇͖̔̀ṃ̸̢̧͙̟̼̜͌͆̍͝͝ͅo̴̟̞̓̆̇̐̆͊̽͆̂̀r̶͈̺̮̠͙̗͌ę̸̤̻̈́͐͂̓̊͐̂͆ ̵̡̛͎̩̳̤͔͚̱̼̆̒̓y̴̺̞̹̺̝̤͂ǫ̷̡̣̱̥͊̈́̓͑̕͘ű̵̼͜͜ ̶̨̨̝̟̘̱͇̲̻̪̊͂̽̈̒͊f̴̱̐͌̌̓̋̔́̀͝i̶͖̤͎̬̝̦͒̂g̸̳̰̟̀̓̽̈́̐h̸̼͍̮͎̊̅͗͊̈͋̽̀͘t̴͔͚́̓,̷̨̧̱̠̙̠̙̱̒̍̽̾ ̷̖̰̼̬̟͐̊̂t̶̖̄͂̅̃̍͐̊̑̅͜͝h̴̢̛͙̪̞̫̝̺̋̅̿͛̇̚͝͝ͅͅȩ̶͉̤͍̠́̈͑̏͋̚͘͝ ̸̢̨̧͚̖̤̪̬̪̀̉̐͗̂͆͑̚̕̚c̴̠̩̳͎̲̪͔̟̈́͂̉͑́l̶̡̲̻̣̘̏́ͅo̶̢̧͔͈̬̳̰͈̝̻͌̋̆̃͒͗̏͘ş̴̪̺̣̥̎̽̿͗̒́͛̕̚̚e̴̺͍̤͖͂̇͑͂̋͂̆̾r̴̨̩̈́͋͠ ̷̧͚̲̩̖̋͒̉́͗y̶̘̖̝̑̈͊ǒ̵͚̽u̵͎͍̇̀̏̊̕͝ŕ̷͎̜̘͙̀̋ ̶͇̲̝̞̖̝̣̘̝̬͋d̷͔͈͔̀̿õ̴̝̯͇̹̘̏͗͜ö̵͚͓͆m̵͉̦̫̥̦̞̫͐̆͐̿͊͒͌͋͜.̷̼͈̻̥̜̾̏͐̾̐͆͘͜
You gasp, as you startle awake, and open your eyes for the first time in a long time.
T̸̢̼̯͓̬̘́̀̋̆͊h̷͔̣̱̝͍̬̣͕̄̂͗̆͒͌͜ͅẹ̶̱̩̅͒̿̇͠ ̵̭̹͇͖̔̀ṃ̸̢̧͙̟̼̜͌͆̍͝͝ͅo̴̟̞̓̆̇̐̆͊̽͆̂̀r̶͈̺̮̠͙̗͌ę̸̤̻̈́͐͂̓̊͐̂͆ ̵̡̛͎̩̳̤͔͚̱̼̆̒̓y̴̺̞̹̺̝̤͂ǫ̷̡̣̱̥͊̈́̓͑̕͘ű̵̼͜͜ ̶̨̨̝̟̘̱͇̲̻̪̊͂̽̈̒͊f̴̱̐͌̌̓̋̔́̀͝i̶͖̤͎̬̝̦͒̂g̸̳̰̟̀̓̽̈́̐h̸̼͍̮͎̊̅͗͊̈͋̽̀͘t̴͔͚́̓,̷̨̧̱̠̙̠̙̱̒̍̽̾ ̷̖̰̼̬̟͐̊̂t̶̖̄͂̅̃̍͐̊̑̅͜͝h̴̢̛͙̪̞̫̝̺̋̅̿͛̇̚͝͝ͅͅȩ̶͉̤͍̠́̈͑̏͋̚͘͝ ̸̢̨̧͚̖̤̪̬̪̀̉̐͗̂͆͑̚̕̚c̴̠̩̳͎̲̪͔̟̈́͂̉͑́l̶̡̲̻̣̘̏́ͅo̶̢̧͔͈̬̳̰͈̝̻͌̋̆̃͒͗̏͘ş̴̪̺̣̥̎̽̿͗̒́͛̕̚̚e̴̺͍̤͖͂̇͑͂̋͂̆̾r̴̨̩̈́͋͠ ̷̧͚̲̩̖̋͒̉́͗y̶̘̖̝̑̈͊ǒ̵͚̽u̵͎͍̇̀̏̊̕͝ŕ̷͎̜̘͙̀̋ ̶͇̲̝̞̖̝̣̘̝̬͋d̷͔͈͔̀̿õ̴̝̯͇̹̘̏͗͜ö̵͚͓͆m̵͉̦̫̥̦̞̫͐̆͐̿͊͒͌͋͜.̷̼͈̻̥̜̾̏͐̾̐͆͘͜
You gasp, as you startle awake, and open your eyes for the first time in a long time.
no subject
Upon first impression, one might think Shez would stand out, his personal color palette mismatching the multitude of green everywhere he looked, an outsider through and through, if not for their kind hospitality. Their stolen glances in curiosity, their generous offers of food and drink without asking for anything in return, the enthusiasm and devotion in their voice whenever they spoke of their mother as though hoping their love could touch a stranger's heart... It wasn't a bad feeling, not exactly. Just... maybe overwhelming, in ways he couldn't really pinpoint.
(In ways that maybe weren't just his own, if his Advocate connection with Byleth remained strong even outside of Kenos.) ]
Yeah. Guess that's our final stop, buddy.
[ Or until they hopped over to the next universe, that is. In any case, he hesitates, not for fear of the guards or whatever other challenges lie beyond those twin gates, but because of Byleth instead. His head tilts with a studying gaze, and he falls silent for only a second before adding: ]
You sure you're okay to proceed? You're looking a bit distracted...
no subject
[Byleth sighed wordlessly, and with some effort he tore his gaze away from a passing family - a mother and a father, holding hands with their green-haired child between them, all smiling faces and genuine happiness and contentment. His stomach felt like he'd eaten a bowl of nettles.]
I'm... I suppose I'm a little distracted...
[He hesitated, feeling oddly tongue-tied and unsure on how to articulate his feelings. Now probably wasn't the time anyways. They were on a time limit, and Byleth didn't want what could potentially be an emotionally volatile discussion right there, in the middle of the street, for anyone to stumble across (specifically, other Shard-bearers of the Zenith variety).]
This place just hits a little too close to home. Sorry, I'll focus now.
no subject
Whatever else is crossing his thoughts, Shez can't tell. But it's clear the middle of an Oracle trial isn't the most opportune moment to discuss it, and Byleth himself seems to realize that. ]
Right. Back to the job.
[ ... but, just because they're not talking about it, doesn't mean he can't leave Byleth to his thoughts for a moment longer, to breathe in the scenery and the people a moment longer, keep a memory if nothing else. At the very least, the locals don't seem hostile, and though the guards may not look too friendly, an all-out fight is unlikely to break out. In which case-- ]
Say, those guys don't look all that menacing, but it's probably best if we can avoid drawing attention to us, right? So, how about you keep them distracted while I go inside? Y'know, maybe chat'em up or something?
[ Not that... Byleth is usually the communicative type, but maybe the atmosphere will inspire him? Call it divine inspiration, so to speak. ]
no subject
But, after the moment of confusion, he turned the suggestion over in his mind and saw the merit. While he didn't have the pointed ears, the others in this city assumed him to be one of their own escorting a 'pilgrim'. There'd be no suspicion in him conversing with them, whereas Shez, as an outsider, would be placed under much more scrutiny, especially near a place that was so well-guarded. No matter the people's affability, Byleth got the sense that they didn't want to rouse their ire. If they could transform into dragons too...
...
...but more than that, he saw the kindness for what it was. Even with the disadvantages of overtly being an outsider, Shez was charismatic enough to sell a polar bear snow. No, he wanted to let Byleth take a moment to soak in this fantasy world, to not be distracted stealing away inside of a temple and hide away from prying eyes. He wasn't sure how to say thank you, but he sent a rush of gratitude his way through their Advocate bond. He hoped he understood.]
I... can try. I'm not too experienced in 'chatting' up, though.
[Byleth's mind was suddenly utterly bereft of any and all topics. Performance anxiety, right now? Ill-timed!]
Should I pretend to be lost...? Or... oh! I can say I was stung by a bee and... need medical aid!
no subject
In return, the smile he earns in response is as expansive as Shez himself, and it's quick to shift into a laugh at Byleth's idea, light-hearted and never meant as a mockery. ]
Right, that could work! I've seen a whole lot of them casting white magic, so they'd probably be all over the chance to help a guy out. Honestly, if you can pull off your usual pout, that'd be a grand finale!
[ Byleth may argue that he doesn't pout, but he does! It's just got more to do with his eyes than his mouth, and something about his tone that's close to a whine-- and, okay, maybe that's precisely one of those subtleties he's learned to see clear as day, but it could be a Nabatean thing! ]
In the meantime, I'll go ahead and claim the Shard. Communion still works, so we can use that to our favor, maybe send a signal in case of emergency.
[ ...which, in Byleth's case, could only be social panic. Anything else, he'd be more than prepared to deal with. ]
You ready for this?
no subject
It was one thing to converse with one of these Nabateans with Shez by his side, quite another to be the sole focus of them by himself for who knows how long. He was oddly nervous... not in a fearful kind of way, but in a way he couldn't really explain. He brushed the unhelpful feeling aside.]
...I'm ready.
[He squared his shoulders, preparing himself for his upcoming performance. Stung by a bee... or perhaps... some sort of mysterious malaise? As there'd be no sting to demonstrate... yes. He ate something strange and it was now affecting him... he'll figure it out as he went.]
Good luck, Shez. And...
[Here, he hesitated, because what he was about to ask was insanely selfish, in his mind.]
And please try to avoid any and all conflict, once you're inside. I'd rather not... anyone get hurt from this venture. Of course, if you have no choice, then you should defend yourself, but...
no subject
Again, he gets it. And if Byleth needs the added reassurance, then: ]
I don't really make it a habit to throw hands with a buddy's kin if I can help it, y'know. Besides, it would make for a terrible impression as your future co-captain, right?
[ Nevermind that they may have to challenge his actual immediate family in case Jeralt wasn't planning to retire, but the teasing -- and also the sentiment that he's aware these are Byleth's ancestors, in a way -- still stands! ]
Now, let's get this show started! Break a leg, buddy!
[ ... it's meant to be encouragement, a wish of good luck in the way performers do (thanks for the tip, Dorothea) but considering the, uh, enthusiastic nudge to his back -- a shove, it's a shove -- then it could... possibly work as a cue?? ]
no subject
[No time to clarify that bit of miscommunication! Shez gave him a hearty shove forwards, and Byleth stumbled a few steps before taking the hint and headed for the stern-faced guards. The distance wasn't that far, and it felt even shorter as his mind furiously worked on the ordeal to come, how unprepared he felt, how little experience he had in the art of acting...
But Shez was relying on him. Byleth had to try his best, to give his friend a chance to succeed.]
Ah, excuse me...
[His voice came out a bit more timid than he'd intended, once he approached the guards. Both of them were staring at him intently, and their poker faces rivalled his, so he had no idea if they were receptive to his presence or were silently willing him to leave.]
I'm wondering if... this is where the healing halls are? It seems I'm in need of some... [Uh. Um.] ...healing.
[Internally, Byleth cringed at his flat and mumbling delivery, but fortunately one of the guard's stern facade softened. Byleth almost breathed a sigh in relief when they actually engaged him in conversation:]
"Are you unwell, youngling?"
[Youngling??? Byleth didn't look that young, did he? Well, maybe.]
Yes. I think I may've... eaten something? That didn't agree with me. Uh, someone offered me a, uh, regional cuisine from their land... purple hair... purple eyes... a little short...
[Why... why is he describing Shez...]
no subject
However! While he's blissfully unaware of this inadvertent betrayal, Shez peeks over at his friend's valiant efforts at distracting the guards, biding his time to strike-- or effectively not strike, as the case may be. Once Byleth seems to have grabbed their attention, he starts making his move: while he could go for a full sprint, that could result in having him stand out as a suspicious figure so he opts for a more nonchalant approach instead, with short and measured steps, playing the part of the "pilgrim" who's casually admiring the temple's architecture as he draws nearer to the entrance. It proves to be a rather sound plan... for the most part.
Until he feels a decidedly green stare fixed upon him, watching from over their shoulder. Shez tries to play along with the usual friendly manners the locals have shown him, a smile and a wave of his hand in greeting, yet the guard's scrutiny doesn't seem to budge. If anything, it's... looking like a slight frown, even from this distance?
Um. Time to adjust course with a handy communion? ]
'Hey, buddy? The guard to your right is giving me an ugly look so I'm gonna need you to step up your game, all right? Really ham it up!'
[ To be fair, that's Byleth's own fault. Maybe try not to imply your slithery friend has been trying to incapacitate you through culinary experiments next time! ]
no subject
But he refocused, having only a scant microseconds for his synapses to fire and conjure a plan to head off disaster. Mere words weren't enough, he had to commit to the deception, he had to throw his very heart and soul into this pantomine, he had to, in Shez's words, ham it up. Something eyecatching! Something that a guard wouldn't ignore-
Oh! Oh!!!
Struck by inspiration, Byleth acted on it without thinking. Scrounging everything he had ever learned from his romance novels and the plays he had watched, Byleth suddenly rested a hand against his forehead and said (in a near total deadpan):]
Oh. Suddenly, I feel faint.
[He relaxed all of his muscles and felt himself topple like a puppet with its strings cut. The guard that'd been given Shez the evil eye abandoned his glaring to hastily catch the 'fainting youngling' while the other made a surprised noise. Even a few other people wandering past came over to see what the fuss was about!
In that moment, Byleth gave Shez the mental equivalent of a thumbs up.]