ohmyarceus | March - April Test Drive Meme

Our purpose, yes, but I dare say you lack the scope to know how petty it isn't. Again, you worry only about what's directly before your nose, and naught else. Your perspective is far too small to truly grasp the enormity of it all.

[The grin almost surprises him, but he doesn't react as such. Merely shaking his head with a dismissive wave.]

Ants--insignificant though they may be on their own--can still make quite an impact in numbers. But just like their lives, the change they bring is tragically ephemeral.

[Now he's grinning.]

So, by all means, continue to build your ant hills, believe their structures strong enough to hold off the impending calamities, but they will crumble as did all the others before them.

Black Rose is far from the last of our schemes--though you have piqued my curiosity. Whom else besides you and yours would know of it, let alone risk so much to remove it?

Mayhap the future would look brighter should we not have to worry about impending destruction.

[He gets it--people think about their lives, maybe their children's lives, but after that the view narrows. And then you have people like him--he didn't expect to outlive his quest for vengeance, and now has to see beyond that.

He wonders--Solus died, of course, and this man standing before him--even the same, had to have been away for some time. Presumably with the Warrior and the Scions, if he didn't have his fingers in happenings in Garlemald.

(Which Estinien spares a brief moment to thank the Fury for, because if he had, he suspects that it would not have been so simple to remove Black Rose from the playing field.)

After he spends a few moments working through those thoughts:]

What news hear you of your great-grandson of late?

'Tis all a means to an end.

[He says it coldly and dismissively. It's not like he enjoys this bloodshed, even if he doesn't view their lives in equal measure of his or those he wishes to save. The moral decline of mortals is largely what keeps him going, his disgust at their broken and sickly souls, constantly reminding him of their pathetic and tragic existence being unworthy of what Amaurot left behind.

Incapable of taking the torch--though, he feels that small gleamer of hope in his breast. Watching those like-minded souls fast at work with the Talos, how the Warrior of Light brought the Eulmorans to heel with kindness and compassion... It was as impressive as it was frustrating.]

My great-grandson? [He pauses, then mentally corrects that: Solus' great-grandson.] I knew of his return from death--for all you mortals are most familiar with it, you certainly never seem to know when it truly takes, do you?

[Of course he's more referring to Elidibus' puppetry, than Zenos himself. While he cannot recall feeling Zenos' soul entering the lifestream, he also cared little to keep track. A mistake in arrogance, most likely.]

Why--what of him?

Of course.

[The impression he's getting from you so far is not a man possessed by the desire to sow chaos strictly for chaos's sake. He doesn't know what you intend, but if it were as simple as that, there would be far easier ways to go about it.

And did you not introduce yourself as Solus? ~~Not that Estinien would want to claim Zenos as family either if he could help it.~~]

Oh, the Scions were full aware that whomever returned his body to Garlemald, twas not actually Zenos. Not that it mattered. He was not long behind.

Zenos lives--in truth. He rode some other poor bastard back to Garlemald to take back his body. Twas him that took umbrage with the plan to release Black Rose. Said it made for 'poor sport'.

[Hey, don't go putting the pieces together! Just keep believing they're villains, it's easier that way. Sure, he wanted the Scions to know the truth, for he planned to take them on as possible allies, but for others? It works far better to believe their fronting.

Sure, he did indeed introduce himself as Solus, the name he will continue to use till he finds its use obscelete, but that did not mean he's not still trying to distance himself emotionally from its ties with the mortals. ~~Also, yeah Zenos is fucking terrible~~.

The news surprises him, not only that Zenos was able to return in such a way, but that he likewise sought to take out Black Rose. What has become of that deranged child? Does everything have to fall apart every time he steps away? It certainly seems so.

Leaves Loghrif to the first, that ends in failure and thus he comes to clean up the mess. Leaves The Source to Elidibus, and now Black Rose is compromised, and his--that body's--great grandson has returned in a fashion that's almost Ascian in nature... Here he was the architect of nations, yet now he was feeling much more the janitor of his cohort's incompetencies.

For a moment, he's left staring at Estinien with widened eyes, blinking a few times as he processes the immeasurable derailment this plan has suffered. So much has gone awry, when it should have been perfect, he was so close to retirement! It should not have come to this.]

...That is...most unexpected.

[And here he is, stuck in this world, incapable to return and right the course! What a horrible feeling of helplessness this is, one that's left him speechless.]

Edited 2020-04-30 23:21 (UTC)

[Oh, you can be a villain and have an understandable, even sympathetic motivation. It's the way you go about it that determines whether or not you're the villain.

Look, no one can predict Zenos apparently. He has made himself a cozy refuge in audacity and does not seem keen to leave it anytime soon.]

Aye, it was. If I had not seen it with my own eyes...

[He shrugs.]

...he killed his father in cold blood. My condolences.

[And...surprisingly he does actually sound apologetic? Granted, he doesn't know you hate Varis.]

[The news of Varis' death likewise leaves him feeling...odd, yet he finds it the piece of the tale hardest to believe. Mayhap he was too involved with the going ons of the First to notice that particular soul joining once more with the lifestream, yet at the same time he finds that hard to believe.

Yet, he believes him. As he keeps his eyes on Estinien, the genuine and stoic way he delivers the news speaks not of falsehood. How troubling.

He and Varis did not have a close relationship, though arguably closer than he had with most mortals. A wall of contention and negligence built between them once his son had passed, strengthened by the look of him, that robust and large body naught but a reminder of his foolish lapse. A painful, necessary lesson he tells himself. Still, there's a twinge in his chest he cannot put words to, one that he pushes himself to ignore.]

I need not your sympathies, Varis reaped what he sowed with that boy of his. He was but a pawn, one that believed his purpose far greater than what it was, and through his hubris he brought about his own demise.

[Recollecting himself, he sighs with a shake of his head and a wide gesturing of his arms. His deeper tone of voice growing light, and far less serious. As if trying to cast off the weight of the news, and what impact it truly has.]

You mortals certainly enjoy making a mess of everything, but it matters not. We will but start again--but I thank you for this most valuable information. Gives me much to think on.

[Estinien doesn't quite understand that feeling--that the loss of a family member just doesn't do anything to you. He still has the occasional nightmare of finding his parents and brother.

That reaction is colder than a winter wind. Though there might still be something there. He's not going to dig at it though.]

Mm. And I thank you, for the news of the others. Lest you think my only concern is for our hero, tis not.

[Well, he is concerned for them, they're one of the few friends he has.]

[If only Estinien knew the grief of loss Emet-Selch had felt when he lost his son, the grief he still feels so keenly. Varis' untimely demise being but one more reminder of his mistake, and perhaps the twist he feels is because of that, than any measure of grief for Varis. Who knows, these things are complicated.

Casual and calm, he shrugs.]

Close to the lot, are you? I do suppose your brusque manner fits well with a few of them, what a pity you couldn't join them on their heroic journey across the First.

[But, if he had, then he might not have been able to learn the details he's learned, so he supposes everything has its purpose. Maybe even being brought here had some purpose other than being infuriatingly inconvenient. He supposes he shouldn't be quick to jump to conclusions.]

Right then, if we've naught else to discuss...

[Y'know you'd probably feel a lot better if you got it out. Maybe had some therapy. You've got time for that now, you know.]

Aye, well, I had enough to keep me occupied.

[Obviously. Now he has to figure out what that is here. Again. Why can't things be simple for once.]

I shall leave you to it then.

[He'll be around, though. He needs to see what this place has to offer, if not a way back.

He turns on his heel and, unless Emet-Selch wishes to get the last word in, he'll be leaving.]

[He honestly had nothing but time before, but I suppose it's hard to seek things like therapy when you have a dark god compelling you to revive him, and your trauma and loss serves as your motivator. Oops!

He seems fit to let Estinien leave, watching him go. He himself turns to do similarly, facing the lake and walking forth—only to realize a few steps forward that his...portal isn't going to show up.

Right...that's a thing, isn't it. How embarrassing. Looking back, half in hopes that Estinien didn't see that, but also that the man isn't too far gone. Fortunately both seem to be true, and thus he calls to Estinien:]

You know, I had a thought... [He begins his pace again, this time towards Estinien, though it is ever his usual amble.] Mayhap...it would do well to not quite go our separate ways. Just yet. After all, this is a new world, who knows what dangers it has, and it would not do for you to wander off on your own, with naught but your endearing companion to rely upon, hm?

[Yes, this is clearly for Estinien's benefit.]

[Estinien cannot recommend his methods of having deep, soul-searching revelations--for one, we're fresh out of elder wyrms hell-bent on vengeance, and two that experience is something he would wish on no one.

But hey, he gets trauma and loss being your motivation! ~~You would just think it was petty.~~

And that seems like it might be the end of it. But then--of course, it would not be so simple. He stops and slowly turns.]

...I suppose this offer of companionship is solely out of altruism on your part.

[It would be easier to keep an eye on you, but you talk a lot. Ugh.]

[Even then, who's to say it'd work! What with the whole messy business of tempering, and it's not likely he needs to deal with another immortal's baggage. Dude has enough to fill a 747 on his own.

~~Hey now, he was empathetic, if maybe a little rude, about Y'shtola's "death', wasn't he???~~

With Estinien facing him, he pauses in his gait, standing with that weighted slouch, a lazy grin on his face as he shrugs, arms out at his sides, before they heavily drop to hang a moment later.]

What else would it be?

[Yeah, he's not about to admit that he'd rather keep company than be without while being rendered so utterly powerless. What good fortune that he would come across someone from the Source, but most importantly: someone reasonable.]

Edited 2020-05-01 23:30 (UTC)

[Hey, guess what, the Scions may have found a treatment for that too. Seriously, put them on any problem, give them sufficient motivation, and it'll be over in a month.

~~She really needs to stop yeeting herself into the lifestream.~~

Estinien crosses his arms.]

Fury give me strength. I prefer to keep my own company.

[Too bad they had to do the whole Old Yeller treatment to Emet before they figured that out, huh?

~~At this point I think she does it for attention.~~

Emet-Selch sighs.]

The loner type, are you? Believe it or not, I prefer working alone myself. I understand well the allure of one's own company. Buuuuut, I am more drawn to the siren's call of common sense.

[You did kind of turn into an eldritch horror on them. ~~What are the odds you'll be back two expansions from now?~~]

And yet when I came upon you, you were sleeping in the open.

[Were you just that tired, old man?]

[It was necessary! ~~Considering they did literally nothing that's been established to kill an Ascian, and the Shoebill's still around...~~

Being called out like that, he stares at him flatly, then shakes his head.]

Old habits die hard, I suppose. But see? I'm learning the ways of you mortals. You'll just have to forgive me for not being in the habit of scurrying away from every perceived danger like frightened vermin.

[Being mortal is exhausting.]

[That was honestly the only thing you could have done in that moment? Doubtful. ~~So you are in the shoebill!!~~

If you're going to get in a staring contest with any mortal, don't pick Estinien. He might have some leftover draconic traits that give him an advantage. He looks completely deadpan straight back at you.

Ordinarily he'd take his leave of this conversation--vertically, if need be--but you're not the only one who's found his usual skills diminished. ~~He can't jump as high as a measly roof, the suffering!!~~ He doesn't want to run either, it seems foolish.

After a moment, he scoffs and turns half-back towards the road before responding.]

Do as you will.

[Get used to it, bucko.]

[Look, I was dealing with some stuff, and I wasn't expecting them so soon... ~~damn straight~~.

Yeah, a staring contest isn't quite what he's after, not when he rather his eyes be closed than open. However, with Estinien's surrender—because that's what he's taking this as—he follows along behind him. Though, he probably should pick up the pace, considering his languid and relaxed gait.]

I always do.

[He didn't sign up for this. He didn't survive the sundering just to be forced into being mortal for real!]

Anyroad, where are we headed, dragoon? Or are we to explore these virgin territories without a plotted course?

[They're hardly virgin territories, though to them they are in a sense. Maybe he's just getting into a little bit of a role to keep himself entertained. Look, he's got to make up for Estinien's lack of sociability.]

[They were literally in your memories. You were narrating! How could you possibly not know where they were?

It's strategic capitulation. As you've just said, you're the type to do whatever you please, and Estinien can't escape this situation without looking weak or ridiculous, so he won't.]

My apologies, did you have somewhere else to be?

[Please say you do.]

[Before that! They couldn't even follow my simple instructions, showed up early, wasn't even a nasty, disgusting abomination. Threw me off entirely.

Ah, the things we do to maintain our pride.]

Not at all, I'm merely along for the ride.

[Deal with it, fucker!!]

Edited 2020-05-02 01:45 (UTC)

[You said 'come to me, and you can complete your transformation into a monster in peace' or some such, implying yet to be a nasty disgusting abomination, and you never uttered the words 'come alone'. Classic loophole blunder.

He's going to be praying to Halone more in your presence than he has for years.

He just. Keeps walking. Doesn't dignify that with a response.

This isn't worse than the time he got bodysnatched by a furious dragon, but he's definitely not enjoying it.]

[Mortals have literally no shame, this is why the rejoining is sorely needed.

See, that's gotta be a credit to Emet-Selch! Making a man more faithful to his religion by merely being around him! And here people want to paint him as a villain!

But it's fine, he doesn't need to respond, after all, his question will be answered soon enough by seeing where he's heading. But man, walking for prolonged periods of time through the wilderness, sure he can do it and has done it before and not just recently, after all Solus was a soldier before he became an emperor and that was Emet's doing!

But that mortal body wasn't acting as a literal flesh prison like this one is.]

I have to hand it to you mortals. [Oh, did you think he was going to be quiet just because he didn't talk for a moment there? Yeah, you ain't that lucky.] For all your inadequacies, your lot certainly are tenacious—willingly suffering these exhausting limitations for the entirety of your lives; paltry though they are.

[There's a reason lawyers were invented. Probably by mortals. Oooh, look at who can make things now!

Yes, you are the cause of his come-to-Halone moment. Congratulations.

He's honestly contemplating leading you in a giant circle and seeing how long it will take for you to notice. But no, he's heading back towards town. Keep talking and the giant circle plan may come back though.

Just when you think he might be still ignoring you:]

I suppose tis a matter of perspective. Those of us unlucky enough to be unable to shed our bodies as a serpent sheds it skin when it inconveniences us merely have to live with it.

Edited 2020-05-02 02:59 (UTC)

[What's he gonna do? Sue Hydaelyn for damages?

Really. He's not an idiot, he'd recognize a circle when he's walked it. His attention to detail is pretty damn impressive, even if he doesn't have his usual sight. In fact, these eyes kinda suck compared to what he's used to, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't realize it all the same!]

Awful presumptuous, aren't you? I do not make a habit of jumping too and fro between bodies all willy-nilly, nay, I tend to stick with my mortal host till my task is complete.

[He spent seventy-something years in Solus' old flesh bag, after all.]

But, there are advantages I lack being robbed of my power. Though, you too feel this, if not so keenly. Say, dragoons are known for the height of their leaps, are they not? How poorly has yours suffered?

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