prismatica | ❧ Of Gods & Magic [video]

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❧ Of Gods & Magic [video]

[ 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.

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The fact that you can't is something new to have learned.

And I feel as if we made it fairly clear we were looking for information and options on how to discuss this. Perhaps it came off as more dire, but we cannot ignore the similarities. However, we are more interested in working together and this includes helping the Prismals with their research.

It's not a very common talent to possess.

[ It does come across as dire, but Van won't point that out. Well not exactly. ]

To want to know why and how is one thing, but coloring it based on information from your own world creates a sense of urgency and attempts to bring people over to your side of things. It is a form of coercion. If you wanted a forum for pure discussion, then you didn't need to make it sound like everyone's lives are at risk and only offer that information when pressed.

Again, I don't like this situation. I don't like not knowing what's going on. But I don't like this way of doing it either.

Oh, then tell me, how would you prefer we go about it, since you've such an opinion on how we're handling it now?

[ she's... clearly annoyed, going from zero to sixty on the sarcasm scale. ]

[ He clicks his tongue with a 'tsk.' ]

I'm not a people person. Most of my life I have lived only to manipulate and use people. My entire paradigm was developed by an offer not too dissimilar to this - something offered that makes it seem to be reasonable and good, but really it's done in a way that actually feeds into your insecurities and fears and thus makes one act instead of it being an actual, thought out choice.

[ Look, Van has issues and he knows that. They are still things that he is working on. But she does need to know where he is coming from on this and why, to him, it is done in poor taste. And maybe it hadn't been intentional... Even more reason to bring up how it can be warped and misconstrued. ]

You ask my opinion, so mine would be to cut out all the crap about your world and be plain. "We're looking for like-minded individuals that want to discover the truth about how we got here and why we're really here." Then offer up what you've got that makes you oh so concerned, when people start inquiring.

Because yes, we should be. You're not wrong that the similarities are creepy and deserve to be looked at and thought about. [ He can, and will admit that the twins are right in this aspect. ] But this can be achieved without potentially hooking people by feeding on their emotions with some speech.

Edited 2020-02-01 22:29 (UTC)

[ he... admittedly has a point, one she's already somewhat agreed on. of course, now that she's annoyed, she's less likely to admit it. ]

Perhaps you've a point that we should have lead with the open forum, but it's just reversing how we went about explaining our situation.

[ no. no it is not, alisaie, he said when people started asking -- ]

Speeches are a necessary evil, when dealing with strange things of this kind. Again, we've no intention of whipping up a mob and directing it at our neighbors, and we'd like simply to have this be addressed. Even the moonblessed are treated like a revered thing - rather than what we are, which is kidnapped. They can be apologetic all they want, but when they turn around and act like we're a god-given gift, I begin to worry.

[ That's fine, Alisaie. Van gets that. He's... Not entirely different in that regard. ]

Not what I said and you know it.

[ But he'll still call her out on t. ]

Anyway... No, I don't think that was your intention. However it could lead into that depending upon the type of people that are listening in. Some won't be into talking things out first. They'll read this and think that they are justified in their distrust and potentially allow it to fester further in their hearts. And if anyone knows about negative emotions, that would be me.

[ After all, isn't Vanitas the master of negative emotions made manifest? ]

Again, you're not wrong. There are things that don't add up. Housing was available for us immediately upon arrival which is awfully convenient. And they really aren't doing much to try to send us back now are they? These people just jump all over us, having us fix their issues all the while keep stuff from us. So yeah, I get it.

[ Instead of Alisaie replying this time, the commenter here will get Alphinaud instead. He's been taking a backseat to most of the interactions here in favor of listening to what others have to say while his sister is doing the opposite. However, what's said here really makes Alphinaud wonder if this network address was a bad idea. ]

If such discontent exists, then I fear we may have accidentally gave them the perfect excuse.

[ He's not eager to have blood on his hands but should he have held his tongue about this? Maybe. ]

Had I heard this nearly a year ago, it would have been enough for me. I was angry at being brought back against my will and not even whole.

Any excuse would have been good enough.

Then let us be thankful that you're much more levelheaded now.

[He states with a slight sigh. It seems like this entire forum discussion is nothing short of a disaster. This is quite a blow to Alphinaud's pride but at least he knows where most of the Moonblessed stand.]

Nevertheless, I do not advocate for violence but I certainly do advocate for our freedom.

And if one's freedom requires violence?

[ Because that is entirely possible, isn't it? ]

Then that will be a sin I will have to bear.

[Yet another 'sin' at that. Alphinaud knows his hands are stained with blood since taking up his creed to free Eorzea. This is a hard truth he has difficulties coping with even now.]

But I will strive away from violence however long we can.

Not a complete idealist, at least.

[ Which Vanitas is fine with that. A lot of people will speak such pretty things and stand by them even when it just isn't feasible. Not advocating violence is one thing, but accepting that it may be necessary is just practical. ]

Look, I can't tell you much. I did spend some time trying to find some things out when we all first got here. What I can tell you is that there is nothing innately sinister in the general populace. The Unversed would have sniffed anyone out with ill-intentions.

[ Though the small congregation of them that Vanitas has get awfully distracted by the Sanguis moon. For obvious reasons. ]

Of course the governing body may be different. There's a very convenient lack of important information as compared to distractions.

[ here's alisaie again, presumably having been sent away briefly by alphinaud to cool her jets. now she's back, a little more subdued. ]

The 'unversed'?

And I do agree with you that the governing body would be the group I bear the most suspicion for. When I speak of the Prismals, I should better specify it as their government - I doubt the people here are part of some grand collaboration to lie to us. It's usually never the people.

[ sadly not even with the garleans. ]

[ It's been a while since he's even brought them up. ]

The Unversed are creatures of negative emotion. Not only are they created from them, but they also seek out negativity and feed off of it.

[ They aren't Heartless that find those that are tilting that way, but the outward expression of that inner Darkness? Sure, the Unversed can detect that. ]

But good luck trying to get access to where they are. I can't even use a portal to do that.

[ she's not sure such creatures are a good thing and she has half a mind to say so. but she's already put her foot in it once, so she bites her tongue.

it's probably an extended audible silence, if vanitas wants to comment on it at all. ]

I suppose that's something to be said about them, then.

As I said, too, we don't want to attack them. Hopefully there will be no need of portals if we can convince them to speak with the moonblessed.

[ Nah, no need. He completely understands what the silence is for. No, they aren't good things, but they are him. ]

You may end up not having a choice. They already imprisoned one being in a moon. Correct me if I'm wrong about that. I was a little preoccupied at the time.

I'd... skimmed something about that, but Alphinaud would be able to discern the details better, I think.

[ either way, she squares her shoulders. ]

I'd rather not assume we're going to end up at a battle for it. While I'm always prepared to fight, I'm not a warmonger by trade.

And I'd rather not assume that we won't have to fight. Personally I can't think of one person who has had ill intent of this scale backing down because a few people asked nicely.

I never said I wasn't prepared to, just that I'd rather not assume a battle is the end result of what we're asking for.

Offer your hand before you offer your sword. You may lose a few fingers or a hand, sometimes, but it works out in the end.

[ okay that metaphor didn't quite work out the way she intended -- ]

I would rather just at least attempt a civil conversation.

[ He huffs. Yeah, that doesn't really work... ]

That is not a very good metaphor at all.

[ Because who wants to lose fingers or a hand? ]

Your point's been made. Not sure that I agree with it, but whatever. While I do want to know what this is all about, I have no intentions of leaving either.

[ people lose fingers all the time vanitas they just have healers reattach them like a lizard ~~no that's not how it works on her world either~~. ]

On that we agree, at the very least.

[ she's no intention of forcing him to leave, but he's surely heard her say it before already. ]

May I ask your name?

The name is Vanitas.

[ He still wants to make it clear that he has priorities. That's all. ]

A pleasure to meet you then, Vanitas.

[ she at least means it somewhat honestly. ]

Oh I doubt that, but I'll take the polite gesture regardless.

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❧ Of Gods & Magic [video]

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