❧ Of Gods & Magic [video]

[leveilleur]

[ It takes a moment for Alphinaud to set up everything just right but once he does, the video feed goes live revealing the faces of elven twins solemnly gazing into the camera. Alphinaud Leveilleur towards the right dressed in blues and whites with his sister Alisaie, dressed in red and khaki, towards the left. They look identical in every way but there are subtle differences that only a keen eye would notice. Nevertheless, Alphinaud takes a moment to clear his throat before finally introducing himself. ]

Greetings & Salutations to All,

I am Alphinaud Leveilleur and this ---[ He gestures to the girl standing at his left. ]-- is my sister Alisaie.

[ Alisaie raises a hand in greeting. She seems to be regarding the device with some skepticism, and so she's a bit more subdued than normal. ]

Greetings to you all.

[ The boy doesn't feel the need to address that they're identical twins since he's certain the audience has eyes. However, if anyone makes any rude comments about their appearance, they'll be promptly blocked. Alphinaud doesn't have much patience for those who make fun of his allegedly girlish looks. ]

We hail from the realm of Hydaelyn, a wondrous world plagued by both strife and great unrest. We are members of a faction known as the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, peacekeepers if you will, who strive in earnest to bring an end to the bloodshed that plagues our world.

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Due to great circumstances, we've been summoned to Prismatica along with all of you, by unknown powers. It has come to my attention that this fantastical realm is chock full of wonders, many of which we Moonblessed fail to comprehend. With that said, I wish to hold a forum regarding these wonders in hopes that we can further understand more about this world.

[ Alisaie leans in a bit more, cutting off Alphinaud from view for the moment. ]

-- We're interested in talking about where the Moonblessings supposedly come from. These beast gods, Sanguis, Iris, and Cordis. It's not the first time we've heard of such things.

[ She glances knowingly over to her brother.]

Not the first time-- [He states looking somewhat remorseful now.] Nor will it be the last, I fear.

[ Alphinaud comes into view again looking rather grim now. This not a light topic meant for the faint of heart. ]

In the region of Eorzea and even beyond her, false deities called “primals” offer succor in the form of blind fanatical servitude promising the moon and stars to all who worship them. Their promises are nothing more than lies told to bewitch their followers into supplying them endless aether in the form of great sacrifice.

The payment---one’s own life.

[ His gaze narrows some as he ponders about the deities of this realm. The more he thinks about these foreign gods, the more they truly sound lime “primals” to him. ]

We know naught if this payment would be the same in regards to the deities here within Prismatica but servitude certainly seems to be one of them.

[ Alisaie speaks up now. ]

Think about it. We are 'blessed' by these gods and they ask that we generate energy in return. Sound similar? The energy itself is benign so far, but then they twist and change our bodies and call it a gift.

[ She shakes her head. ]

I realize the people of this star depend on Chroma, and that it changed their way of life. I also know this life is better for some of you. But we deserve to know why we have been brought here and changed, not just be given some blind venerated explanation.

[ Her voice gets more earnest as she speaks, ending with her slamming her fist down on the surface the video device is propped on. She has to right it after it tilts, and then stills, taking a deep breath. Alphinaud takes over. ]

This is all we ask.

[ He chimes in after a moment of thought. It seems there’s something else on his mind but the boy hesitates to state it. Instead, he directs this introduction to a swift end. ]

We ask to know and understand the meaning behind our arrival here so that in turn, we could perhaps undo what has been done.

[ Alphinaud takes a breath. This is quite the intro and it will surely gain them some scorn. Nevertheless, he’s content. ]

I open up the forum for others to speak.

Comments

[halforc]

[ She's a lot less intense than her brother, bringing out a warmer smile behind Fjord's tusks. ]

And have you found any new clothing in this realm to your liking? You must let me know, all I have to wear out is my armour. [ Which seems overkill in a city centred around pleasure. ] I'm due a shopping trip.

[swordfighting]

[ she can get just as intense as him, in all honesty - but the subject of needling him is one that always gets her in a better mood right away.

at his question, she does tilt her head in thought. ]

Most of what I've found has been close in style to what I wear at home. Tunics, shorts and leggings, and boots. They have quite the variety of trousers and shirts, though, so I think depending on your style you're like to find something.

[ she's just. not quite into dresses or full sets of pants. she's a red mage, give her more mobility. ]

[halforc]

[ When Fjord stops to think about what he should buy, he realises he has no idea having literally lived in armour for almost two years now. It was spruced up with magical defences once, but. ]

I ... guess a new shirt will be fine. You clearly have your own style sorted already.

[ In the way elves usually do. ]

[swordfighting]

I'm afraid I'm not terribly fashion forward. That's more the realm of my friend Tataru, and she's not here.

[ tataru actually made both outfits that alphinaud and alisaie wear. ]

But... hm, she would probably suggest some nice trousers and a jacket along with the shirt? They have plenty of things in cured leather, which is what I'm more familiar with. I'm not fond of the sheer glowing fabric they have.

[halforc]

[ Wait, wut. ]

Who have you seen wearing sheer glowing fabric?

[swordfighting]

Ah - one of the shops I looked at was selling a specialty fabric. It was sheer but it glowed colors if you 'channeled' chroma through it. I saw a few people buying it while I was there, but I opted not to.

[halforc]

So if you had no Chroma ... you'd be naked behind a thin translucent shirt.

[ Wow. ]

You know, I may just stick with my armour and cloak a while longer.

[swordfighting]

Most of them were wearing underwear.

[ 'most' being the unfortunate key word there. ]

But I understand that desire. I do recommend the leather shops, even if some of them are a bit.... exotic

[halforc]

[ His face. Wow. Can eyebrows shoot off a forehead? ]

"Most". [ Yeah, he noticed that wording. He looks apprehensive about asking, ] By exotic you mean ... ?

[swordfighting]

It clearly wasn't meant to be worn as actual clothing. It was more fetishistic in nature. And whips not meant for animals.

[ kinky leather outfits. ]

But that was alongside rather normal outfits, so I suppose they're just catering to what the needs are.

[halforc]

[ Whoaaaa, he was holding out hope for a "maybe a leash for a gnoll" comment or something but no such luck. His voice heightens in pitch as he rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. ]

Right, right. Ah, forgive me, are you quite old for an elf? You seem awfully young to be discussing these ... topics.

[ Fetishes!! ]

fjords life is suffering

[swordfighting]

I'm seventeen; I'm not even my full height, I've likely at least two more fulms to grow.

[ his discomfort is noted, though. ]

I can stop talking about it if you'd prefer, of course.

[ there is definitely some snark in there though, sorry fjord. ]

everyone can see him regretting learning about the network

[halforc]

[ What is a fulm, is that an elf thing, how did the conversation get from debating the veracity of a pantheon's intentions to hey they have leather bondage gear here. Wheeze. ]

No, no, no! It's fine, you're fine. I just wanted to check this wasn't, you know, getting weirder than it needed to be. [ Just like when Nott admitted goblins ate children and Fjord immediately got a little on the protective side, he never quite stops being an unofficial big brother type to squirts. ] You have a baby-face, it felt prudent to check you were doing okay. [ Adding respectfully now that he knows she's a little older than he initially assumed, ] Miss.

it's fine alisaie's username is probably like 'alisaieleveil' and it ran out of characters on her

[swordfighting]

[ alisaie does not explain what a fulm is. also, she definitely derailed the serious explanation her brother was giving to dunk on him.

the baby face explanation gets a strange look, and when he calls her miss there's a moment of silence before she begins literally snorting with laughter. ]

I'm sorry, you needn't call me miss. That makes me sound like some kind of scholar.

[ she wipes her eyes. ]

I do apologize for the diversion. There should be some clothing to your taste, I just didn't want you to be surprised if you walked into a shop. Also, I'll be happy to inform my brother we have a 'babyface'.

[ this isn't to get fjord in trouble; she's literally delighted to make fun of him, even if at her own expense. ]

[halforc]

[ He chuckles, shaking his head. ]

It's not an insult, really. It just means you look young for your age, which most elves do I suppose.

[swordfighting]

I suppose that's true. Elezen tend to look fairly young regardless of our actual age, but in our youth it can be especially troublesome.

[ not as bad as the padjali, but bad enough. ]

It's the first time I've heard such a term, though. And I can't wait to bother my brother with it.