For better or worse, yes. [She reaches out to take her satchel back, Taf shifting back into his cat shape instead.] He won't say as much, but I think he's a bit disappointed it wasn't he who received it.
Each week, Taf and I go out to search and find objects that have been imbued with a specific power. Once we've found them, I can select one to keep for the week. The catch is that I don't know what they do before I make a selection, nor can Yomiel tell me.
'Twas that which returned something from our world to each of us last week.
[It's fine; she honestly feels like it should've gone to him too. Not necessarily because of the items part, but because of everything else that's gone along with it...]
Alphinaud doesn't seem to feel left out when aught like that happens, thank the Twelve. I know not what we'd do if he were as bad as I about reckless situations. [Even... if he tends to follow her into them more often than not...]
I met with Yomiel a couple days ago, yes. This week the options were contained in some of the posters at the concert hall. The one I selected will let me listen in on a person's thoughts for 30 seconds. Unfortunately, it won't work on anyone higher up than the Watchers, but it may still be of some use.
Oh, the Watchers still have some sizeable secrets. Both the ones they want to share and the ones they don't. Baraqiel, for one, said they have motives prepared for all of us, before the killing was public. So I'm not sure if they're as disconnected to the angels handing motives to us as they want us to believe. Not to mention, I had an interesting chat with Xie Lian.
Baraqiel's someone from Xie Lian's world. The future, yeah, but someone from the same world all the same.
[He leans forward, brooding with his hands intertwined in a Gendo Ikari pose.]
...Just don't use it on the trials, yeah? Unless it's to save your brother or something. 'Cuz what happens there happens. It's inevitable that we'll lose someone, but what's not inevitable is whether we can bring them back and win this thing.
[Her mouth drops open when he says that Baraqiel is from Xie Lian's world, but--]
How many people has he told? I promised to keep that secret from even Alphinaud!
[XIE LIAN????? SIR????? But by the time Spike gets to the end, there's a small smile spreading across her face.]
We can. I can't tell you anything about the others, but we've been meeting to try and figure out whatever we can about the situation. On Monday we received information that those dead we can yet contact can be reconnected to the living realm. And... it sounds as though the plan is for at least some of us to go to their side to fight. I'm not certain if it will be all of us, but the Watchers know how to get us there.
I know the Watchers were enigmatic at first, but based on their actions recently, I believe they want to end this cycle the same way as we do.
God, no idea. But he asked me for advice while I was giving him a makeover. [He is now goth.] I think the honesty week made it a bit harder to keep secret. He's really in denial about the fact that they might be a bit more than friends. [He shakes his head. Fucking repressed bastards. It's a good thing that meddling in other people's romantic relationships is his favourite hobby.]
I thought we could, but the confirmation helps a bit. We'll get you your girl back in no time.
[Smile.]
I can tell that much about them. Baraqiel in particular's got a real hard-on for justice, and I think it's true that they were conned as much as we were. But I think the amount they've been forced to participate in is a lot more than they've been telling. Can't say I blame them, some of us would be less sympathetic than others, I imagine.
I'd like to know more about what Baraqiel said about motives. After the trial in Otamo, Suriel and I spoke. She was unaware of why... [Mm. Well. Hmm. We're not even going to try to say that one today.]
I understand Xie Lian's reticence. If he truly does risk his power engaging in such activities, he'll need to decide what's more important to him. And if we know anything about Xie Lian, it's that he's the type to decide helping others is more important than his own desires.
But that one's powers should be reliant on not seeking out companionship is stupid. Not that I'd tell him that; it's hardly his fault.
In fairness, he didn't tell me much. [He realizes something.] I mean, I'm a Temporal. Never told you that, I just realized, but that's what I am. So he's got very limited information that he can tell me.
[He laughs a little at the whole power thing.]
He says he's not interested in anything sexual. I dunno about romantic. What is it with people's powers or curses or souls only staying put so long as the user doesn't get laid?
It's just an absolutely ridiculous condition and I think it's only done as a form of cruel and unusual punishment. I mean, you think the powers that be actually give a shit who you shag? I don't.
It hardly mattered what side we were on. I told both sides from the beginning I wasn't going to do as I was told simply because we were assigned to a faction. Shamsiel even admitted to me that if we chose to forsake our team, they couldn't do anything to stop us.
But it does make me wonder. I'm also a Temporal, so that may be why Suriel didn't know. [She frowns.] Mayhap I'll demand an answer from one of them. If the Watchers were the ones compelling people, I'd like to know.
[But THE POWER THING...]
I'd hope the powers that be have more to worry about than that. If they're spending all their time watching for those having sex, I'd have words for them.
Yeah, it's hardly like the Watchers know much about what the others have been set up to do. Baraqiel doesn't even like any of the Temporals. I think their interactions have been fairly limited intentionally.
It'd certainly be something I'd like to know once we get the chance to talk to 'em without the shackles on our conversations... but I'd be real surprised if their roles are as passive as they've been claiming.
[He chuckles at the power thing.]
I mean, honestly, with the world the way it is, wouldn't surprise me if the powers that be are just a bunch of creepy voyeurs. [As if you can talk, Spike, the item you brought was Buffy's sweater.]
[That gets a bit of a dismissive wave and a huff.] Does Baraqiel like anybody that isn't Xie Lian or Power?
[...well. She told him her role because she trusts him, yes?]
We may find out sooner than you expect.
Ere I go on, I must needs again ask you to keep this secret. [Alisaie gives him a smile, and this time she's not trying to hide just how fucking exhausting all of this has been.] There are consequences if certain information goes too far, and should this piece of information reach the wrong ears all of our work may have been for naught.
This is the last week we play by the angels' rules.
The information we've found in the worlds we visit has been adding up. Between all we've amassed here and the information the dead have been sending in their notes, we can ill afford to let this farce go on any longer. The Watchers are all with us; they said they're done being used as pawns. Soon we'll learn just how much they are truly capable of.
Well, we get along fine. But I mean, if he's rude to you, just say the word and I'll kill him if that's what you want.
[When she says that, he blinks in surprise for about two seconds... his expression turning just slightly bittersweet.] So just one or two more murders left, huh. That's a relief. Means we can take the fight right to 'em soon...
Don't go letting yourself be one of 'em, though, or I'll send you a bunch of real angry letters. [Right after he's done like, butchering the killer with his bare hands.]
[Should she laugh at that? Because she does, before she similarly grows more solemn.
She hasn't really been thinking about what it'll mean once everything is over here. She hasn't wanted to, considering. And right now, she can't. It has to wait until later. Alisaie nods.]
I don't plan to die this week. For one thing, I'd never hear the end of it from you or Alphinaud.
But there's another reason. All of these deaths are sacrifices to the angels. If either side manages to destroy the other team... That's how all of these Calamities have happened. We believe that the Dust of those sacrificed is what gives the angels their power to destroy worlds during the Inquisition.
There are two subsets of us with higher levels of Dust than the others. Those of us with roles, and those of us that have killed.
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no subject
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess the other person would be our very own Alphi. What's the role?
no subject
Each week, Taf and I go out to search and find objects that have been imbued with a specific power. Once we've found them, I can select one to keep for the week. The catch is that I don't know what they do before I make a selection, nor can Yomiel tell me.
'Twas that which returned something from our world to each of us last week.
no subject
[That's an interesting role, though...]
Huh...
I see. So have you done it this week already?
no subject
Alphinaud doesn't seem to feel left out when aught like that happens, thank the Twelve. I know not what we'd do if he were as bad as I about reckless situations. [Even... if he tends to follow her into them more often than not...]
I met with Yomiel a couple days ago, yes. This week the options were contained in some of the posters at the concert hall. The one I selected will let me listen in on a person's thoughts for 30 seconds. Unfortunately, it won't work on anyone higher up than the Watchers, but it may still be of some use.
no subject
Baraqiel's someone from Xie Lian's world. The future, yeah, but someone from the same world all the same.
[He leans forward, brooding with his hands intertwined in a Gendo Ikari pose.]
...Just don't use it on the trials, yeah? Unless it's to save your brother or something. 'Cuz what happens there happens. It's inevitable that we'll lose someone, but what's not inevitable is whether we can bring them back and win this thing.
no subject
How many people has he told? I promised to keep that secret from even Alphinaud!
[XIE LIAN????? SIR????? But by the time Spike gets to the end, there's a small smile spreading across her face.]
We can. I can't tell you anything about the others, but we've been meeting to try and figure out whatever we can about the situation. On Monday we received information that those dead we can yet contact can be reconnected to the living realm. And... it sounds as though the plan is for at least some of us to go to their side to fight. I'm not certain if it will be all of us, but the Watchers know how to get us there.
I know the Watchers were enigmatic at first, but based on their actions recently, I believe they want to end this cycle the same way as we do.
no subject
I thought we could, but the confirmation helps a bit. We'll get you your girl back in no time.
[Smile.]
I can tell that much about them. Baraqiel in particular's got a real hard-on for justice, and I think it's true that they were conned as much as we were. But I think the amount they've been forced to participate in is a lot more than they've been telling. Can't say I blame them, some of us would be less sympathetic than others, I imagine.
no subject
I'd like to know more about what Baraqiel said about motives. After the trial in Otamo, Suriel and I spoke. She was unaware of why... [Mm. Well. Hmm. We're not even going to try to say that one today.]
I understand Xie Lian's reticence. If he truly does risk his power engaging in such activities, he'll need to decide what's more important to him. And if we know anything about Xie Lian, it's that he's the type to decide helping others is more important than his own desires.
But that one's powers should be reliant on not seeking out companionship is stupid. Not that I'd tell him that; it's hardly his fault.
no subject
[He laughs a little at the whole power thing.]
He says he's not interested in anything sexual. I dunno about romantic. What is it with people's powers or curses or souls only staying put so long as the user doesn't get laid?
It's just an absolutely ridiculous condition and I think it's only done as a form of cruel and unusual punishment. I mean, you think the powers that be actually give a shit who you shag? I don't.
no subject
It hardly mattered what side we were on. I told both sides from the beginning I wasn't going to do as I was told simply because we were assigned to a faction. Shamsiel even admitted to me that if we chose to forsake our team, they couldn't do anything to stop us.
But it does make me wonder. I'm also a Temporal, so that may be why Suriel didn't know. [She frowns.] Mayhap I'll demand an answer from one of them. If the Watchers were the ones compelling people, I'd like to know.
[But THE POWER THING...]
I'd hope the powers that be have more to worry about than that. If they're spending all their time watching for those having sex, I'd have words for them.
no subject
It'd certainly be something I'd like to know once we get the chance to talk to 'em without the shackles on our conversations... but I'd be real surprised if their roles are as passive as they've been claiming.
[He chuckles at the power thing.]
I mean, honestly, with the world the way it is, wouldn't surprise me if the powers that be are just a bunch of creepy voyeurs. [As if you can talk, Spike, the item you brought was Buffy's sweater.]
no subject
[...well. She told him her role because she trusts him, yes?]
We may find out sooner than you expect.
Ere I go on, I must needs again ask you to keep this secret. [Alisaie gives him a smile, and this time she's not trying to hide just how fucking exhausting all of this has been.] There are consequences if certain information goes too far, and should this piece of information reach the wrong ears all of our work may have been for naught.
This is the last week we play by the angels' rules.
The information we've found in the worlds we visit has been adding up. Between all we've amassed here and the information the dead have been sending in their notes, we can ill afford to let this farce go on any longer. The Watchers are all with us; they said they're done being used as pawns. Soon we'll learn just how much they are truly capable of.
no subject
[When she says that, he blinks in surprise for about two seconds... his expression turning just slightly bittersweet.] So just one or two more murders left, huh. That's a relief. Means we can take the fight right to 'em soon...
Don't go letting yourself be one of 'em, though, or I'll send you a bunch of real angry letters. [Right after he's done like, butchering the killer with his bare hands.]
no subject
She hasn't really been thinking about what it'll mean once everything is over here. She hasn't wanted to, considering. And right now, she can't. It has to wait until later. Alisaie nods.]
I don't plan to die this week. For one thing, I'd never hear the end of it from you or Alphinaud.
But there's another reason. All of these deaths are sacrifices to the angels. If either side manages to destroy the other team... That's how all of these Calamities have happened. We believe that the Dust of those sacrificed is what gives the angels their power to destroy worlds during the Inquisition.
There are two subsets of us with higher levels of Dust than the others. Those of us with roles, and those of us that have killed.
[So. Y'know. She's not allowed dying this week.]