It is a start. [she agrees with that at least.] We might still be on our own for finding the way ourselves. Especially if it's too dangerous for them to actually give us an exact idea.
I expect we will be. They did say they can't offer much for us.
[ the problem being that iwatooshi knows his strengths and handling situations like this are not it
still! ] The first step in any battle is reconnaissance. We still don't know much about this place, or this cult that brought us here. Maybe these powers we've been given will help with that.
I hope you're right about that. We don't even really know how it works yet, but if we each have a partner and everyone has a different affinity...that's at least twenty different powers that we could try to use to figure something out. Maybe there's a power for seeing through the fog, or flying so we can get a look from above. Something that could help us know more about our surroundings at least.
Maybe something to decipher that Bible, too. [ whenever it's not missing that is. ] The windows of that church do seem to picture some kind of ritual, don't they? It may be related.
Something to see through the fog would be useful, too... though I wonder if that wouldn't frustrate the ones using it, if they're still unable to leave.
Yeah. We were looking at them earlier and knowing what we know now they kind of make a little more sense. Not a complete picture, but a little less weird.
[hum...] It might be frustrating, but it could help them prepare, too. The fog can't keep us here forever. There has to be a way to break through it.
...I admit that I still don't quite understand it. I haven't heard of such things, where I'm from, and while I know of gods, summoning them is something different entirely, and does not require sacrifice.
[ would he even be here, if that were the cost? ]
That is true. It shifted enough to let us meet our overseers, so things could still change. And perhaps, if they were to find to find their match, the power boost would allow them to make their way through the fog themselves, too. It would be useful.
Maybe there's a way for them to summon this god without the sacrifice if it's possible for other worlds. [that would be nice. that would be very nice.]
...do you think the power boosting thing is true? [it's what she asks, but what she means is "do you think it's worth it."]
War-dono said they believed there should be. However, they seemed to be at a bit of a loss when it comes to what actions to take just yet.
[ tilts his head for a second. ]
I don't see any reason not to believe it, for now. There is... a restlessness, here in my chest. [ gently touching the place above his heart. ] While It's hard to imagine having any partner besides Imanotsurugi, I'm not so worried about my life being tied to another's.
But I hesitate to put anyone else at risk if they aren't prepared for something so dangerous. I wouldn't blame anyone for deciding against it.
[this all makes sense, yeah. no reason not to believe it when they don't have proof otherwise, but it does mean she has a lot of things to consider.]
Guess this monster thing and having a match explains the feeling some of us have been experiencing for the last few days. That connection. [her own hands come up, clasped almost in pray as she thinks. it's hard to ignore it now, and especially when she considers there's someone out there that shares something with her.]
That's one of the things I'm worried about, too. It's one thing to decide for yourself, but if your partner is someone who can't defend themselves well, or they're young...it's a lot of responsibility making sure they're safe, too. Not everyone will be able to handle that either.
Right... It seems we're "incomplete" without the other, but it's up to us to decide whether it's worthwhile to fix that. It's tempting, if only to make that feeling go away.
That's true, too. Not everyone is able to protect another. I have faith that I can, if they need it, but our situation seems too complicated to make a decision on that alone. [ a heavy sigh. ] I'm not always good at understanding what my partner needs most, either. Maybe it would be best to let them decide what they want and continue to support them.
[ he doesn't really need to know who they are to do that, anyway. it's the easiest way forward. ]
And some people might be tempted by power alone. [aerith does not specify what kind of person she is or her thoughts on this though.]
Maybe there's an easier way to find out who would and wouldn't want to find their match. Like if we had a list of volunteers or people who said they'd be open to it, and people who weren't could avoid being asked to share their alignment. We'd know who we'd still have to protect, but we'd have an idea of who's willing to take a risk. [she frowns then.] But that still feels complicated, and you're right. It doesn't really make the feeling go away.
...it's hard to say there's one solution to this at all.
Depending on what the power is, that may be understandable. I'm afraid I don't understand mine well enough to make a decision on that. My partner may even feel the same.
There isn't. [ one solution, that is. it's too complicated, when lives are intertwined. ] But your idea is a good one. It's somewhere to start, as we try to decide what the right decision could be. Some may even find courage in it, knowing their match may be looking for them.
It might be easier to understand the longer we're here. People are likely going to start using them to figure out their limits, or maybe even using them to try and signal to their match to come find them. [like a hidden message.]
Maybe that's something I'll think about, too. Give it some time so that we can settle with them and think about the choice, and then put up a list. It can't hurt if it's voluntary.
You must be right. [ then again he could easily spend a whole game completely clueless to how these powers work. we shall see. ] It sounds like we'll be here for some time, so it shouldn't hurt to think about it for a little longer.
What do you think, Aerith-dono? Would it be worthwhile, for you, to find your partner?
[i love and support anything iwa does and so does she.]
Yeah. There's no rush yet if all we're doing now is waiting for them to be ready for their ritual. [murder is going to ruin everyone so bad. the question isn't surprising to her though and she seems to think it over carefully.]
Right now? No, I don't think so. Maybe the boost in power would help us, but...the idea of sharing your fate with someone else is pretty complicated. Especially when we don't know what the cult really plans for us in terms of a sacrifice, or how people will respond in the meantime. I don't want to bring anyone down with me if something were to happen that I couldn't stop.
I am thinking of going to speak with our overseers a bit more, in the meantime... It seems that talking with them in public like today is more difficult for them.
[ iwatooshi listens, solemn, and nods along. aerith's answer isn't unexpected, but all the same, there's something in how she words it that makes his brow furrow. ]
You believe that something would happen to you, Aerith-dono?
[ she seems to think any trouble would be because of her...? ]
[a nod of agreement. yeah. talking to the overseers in private is the best shot they have at actually getting anywhere, she thinks, because there are a lot of problems and questions that may be more personal for some people than others. to the actual question though...
well. yes. but actually saying that seems to be something she's less sure of.]
I think something can happen to any of us at any time. Don't you? I don't think any of us thought we could be brought here against our will to be a part of this ritual before it actually happened.
[ that part's not exactly new. but... the ritual, yes. ]
That is the way of battle. But you made it sound as if you think it's inevitable, somehow, that you would be the one responsible for bringing your partner down.
[ a pause, and then he shakes his head. ]
I must be reading too far into what you've said. I'm sorry.
It's alright. [mostly because, well, he's right, but she does not want to touch on that when iwa's generally been very nice.] I wish it wasn't like this, but it may be that we won't know until something happens.
[let's gently redirect the conversation though.]
When you say you've been summoned before...what do you mean?
We won't. I don't want to believe it's guaranteed for something bad to happen, either. You're all very smart. Many of us are quite strong, enough to protect the others. There is time to sort everything out.
[ it's best to hold onto hope for now, he thinks. ]
Ah. [ a small smile. ] My current master summoned me with this body. Normally, this [ shifts the naginata slightly ] is my only body, my true form.
There's definitely time. [she does firmly believe this. time is going to have to be enough, even with other unknown factors.] With enough time, we can resolve anything before it can happen.
[and yet she's still very much going to be thinking about these things. instead of fixating on that, she's looking at the naginata curiously.]
So...it's like having a little more freedom than where you were before. Are you ever going to have to go back to your true form?
That's right. We may not know how just yet, but we have the tools to find the answers.
[ and everyone is sooo smart. he believes in them. ]
A lot more than I had before! Wielding my own weapon was a new and exciting experience. The first time I tasted food, it was more than I could ever imagine. Being able to move the way humans do really opens the world to you. [ hah. his expression falters for just a moment, but he tries to even it out before he speaks again. ] When my current master no longer has need of me, I will likely return to what I was before.
[this is really cute? like the enthusiasm is sweet, knowing that there were a lot of first-time experiences here...
but the latter is less cute. actually, this is kind of bad, and she gives him a questioning look as she assesses that. that seems...unfair? that seems kind of unfair to bring someone into a world and then remove them when you don't need them.]
Even if your master doesn't need you, would you not be able to find another purpose? [she's asking this, but she does...also, in a sense, sort of understand a little. what comes from something must return to something. but that's their world. she knows other places have other rules.]
[ hhhhhhh. this question is... troublesome, iwatooshi things. his chest feels a little tighter than it should. ]
I don't know if that will be possible. [ before she can ask, he continues on, ] I have this body because of Master's magic. Without their power to sustain it, what is there that I can do?
[it's definitely a little difficult for aerith to think on because...sometimes you have to let someone's path go a certain way. that makes sense. but she still thinks that there are ways to change the future to be something else instead of what's "meant" to be.]
...I guess it would depend if you would want to be sustained like this without being with your master. [magic is also a lot trickier.]
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[ the problem being that iwatooshi knows his strengths and handling situations like this are not it
still! ] The first step in any battle is reconnaissance. We still don't know much about this place, or this cult that brought us here. Maybe these powers we've been given will help with that.
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Something to see through the fog would be useful, too... though I wonder if that wouldn't frustrate the ones using it, if they're still unable to leave.
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[hum...] It might be frustrating, but it could help them prepare, too. The fog can't keep us here forever. There has to be a way to break through it.
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[ would he even be here, if that were the cost? ]
That is true. It shifted enough to let us meet our overseers, so things could still change. And perhaps, if they were to find to find their match, the power boost would allow them to make their way through the fog themselves, too. It would be useful.
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...do you think the power boosting thing is true? [it's what she asks, but what she means is "do you think it's worth it."]
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[ tilts his head for a second. ]
I don't see any reason not to believe it, for now. There is... a restlessness, here in my chest. [ gently touching the place above his heart. ] While It's hard to imagine having any partner besides Imanotsurugi, I'm not so worried about my life being tied to another's.
But I hesitate to put anyone else at risk if they aren't prepared for something so dangerous. I wouldn't blame anyone for deciding against it.
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Guess this monster thing and having a match explains the feeling some of us have been experiencing for the last few days. That connection. [her own hands come up, clasped almost in pray as she thinks. it's hard to ignore it now, and especially when she considers there's someone out there that shares something with her.]
That's one of the things I'm worried about, too. It's one thing to decide for yourself, but if your partner is someone who can't defend themselves well, or they're young...it's a lot of responsibility making sure they're safe, too. Not everyone will be able to handle that either.
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That's true, too. Not everyone is able to protect another. I have faith that I can, if they need it, but our situation seems too complicated to make a decision on that alone. [ a heavy sigh. ] I'm not always good at understanding what my partner needs most, either. Maybe it would be best to let them decide what they want and continue to support them.
[ he doesn't really need to know who they are to do that, anyway. it's the easiest way forward. ]
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Maybe there's an easier way to find out who would and wouldn't want to find their match. Like if we had a list of volunteers or people who said they'd be open to it, and people who weren't could avoid being asked to share their alignment. We'd know who we'd still have to protect, but we'd have an idea of who's willing to take a risk. [she frowns then.] But that still feels complicated, and you're right. It doesn't really make the feeling go away.
...it's hard to say there's one solution to this at all.
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There isn't. [ one solution, that is. it's too complicated, when lives are intertwined. ] But your idea is a good one. It's somewhere to start, as we try to decide what the right decision could be. Some may even find courage in it, knowing their match may be looking for them.
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Maybe that's something I'll think about, too. Give it some time so that we can settle with them and think about the choice, and then put up a list. It can't hurt if it's voluntary.
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You must be right. [ then again he could easily spend a whole game completely clueless to how these powers work. we shall see. ] It sounds like we'll be here for some time, so it shouldn't hurt to think about it for a little longer.
What do you think, Aerith-dono? Would it be worthwhile, for you, to find your partner?
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Yeah. There's no rush yet if all we're doing now is waiting for them to be ready for their ritual. [murder is going to ruin everyone so bad. the question isn't surprising to her though and she seems to think it over carefully.]
Right now? No, I don't think so. Maybe the boost in power would help us, but...the idea of sharing your fate with someone else is pretty complicated. Especially when we don't know what the cult really plans for us in terms of a sacrifice, or how people will respond in the meantime. I don't want to bring anyone down with me if something were to happen that I couldn't stop.
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[ iwatooshi listens, solemn, and nods along. aerith's answer isn't unexpected, but all the same, there's something in how she words it that makes his brow furrow. ]
You believe that something would happen to you, Aerith-dono?
[ she seems to think any trouble would be because of her...? ]
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well. yes. but actually saying that seems to be something she's less sure of.]
I think something can happen to any of us at any time. Don't you? I don't think any of us thought we could be brought here against our will to be a part of this ritual before it actually happened.
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[ that part's not exactly new. but... the ritual, yes. ]
That is the way of battle. But you made it sound as if you think it's inevitable, somehow, that you would be the one responsible for bringing your partner down.
[ a pause, and then he shakes his head. ]
I must be reading too far into what you've said. I'm sorry.
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It's alright. [mostly because, well, he's right, but she does not want to touch on that when iwa's generally been very nice.] I wish it wasn't like this, but it may be that we won't know until something happens.
[let's gently redirect the conversation though.]
When you say you've been summoned before...what do you mean?
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[ it's best to hold onto hope for now, he thinks. ]
Ah. [ a small smile. ] My current master summoned me with this body. Normally, this [ shifts the naginata slightly ] is my only body, my true form.
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[and yet she's still very much going to be thinking about these things. instead of fixating on that, she's looking at the naginata curiously.]
So...it's like having a little more freedom than where you were before. Are you ever going to have to go back to your true form?
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That's right. We may not know how just yet, but we have the tools to find the answers.
[ and everyone is sooo smart. he believes in them. ]
A lot more than I had before! Wielding my own weapon was a new and exciting experience. The first time I tasted food, it was more than I could ever imagine. Being able to move the way humans do really opens the world to you. [ hah. his expression falters for just a moment, but he tries to even it out before he speaks again. ] When my current master no longer has need of me, I will likely return to what I was before.
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but the latter is less cute. actually, this is kind of bad, and she gives him a questioning look as she assesses that. that seems...unfair? that seems kind of unfair to bring someone into a world and then remove them when you don't need them.]
Even if your master doesn't need you, would you not be able to find another purpose? [she's asking this, but she does...also, in a sense, sort of understand a little. what comes from something must return to something. but that's their world. she knows other places have other rules.]
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I don't know if that will be possible. [ before she can ask, he continues on, ] I have this body because of Master's magic. Without their power to sustain it, what is there that I can do?
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...I guess it would depend if you would want to be sustained like this without being with your master. [magic is also a lot trickier.]
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