video ✞ seelie locked, june 20th

[wwjd]

[What's captured by the locket is the image of an unsmiling, expressionless man, but those who know Kotomine Kirei -- perhaps from around Caer Glaem or one of the chapels surrounding it or Leathann -- might note there's a little bit more energy to him. He's in Leathann now, in fact, riding down a street on horseback, his cleg's wings carefully folded back.

A golden cross hangs from his neck, so even those who don't know him may be able to guess at what he is.]

It's fortunate to see the number of victims suffering from the silver sickness decreasing instead of increasing, finally. Still, if you or someone you know should require healing to halt the disease's progress while you search for your cures, don't hesitate to contact me. I hope you are all well, or become well soon enough.

[He doesn't... well, his deep voice doesn't sound very cheerful or uplifting about anything, but at least he's calm and composed. Maybe he gives the impression of someone who would be a good healer. Apparently Kirei has more he wants to ask, however, and he's not done yet.]

It seems like a good time, though, to ask a few questions. I am new to the Drabwurld and would like to find out all I can. Specifically, I would like to know about the Void.

[That topic is mentioned as emotionlessly as if he were discussing the weather. It is nearby, visible a few miles distant from the coast of Leathann.]

What is known about it, at this point? How quickly does it move? What's been done with regard to it, both on our side and by our enemies? If you're able to provide any information at all, I'll be grateful.

Comments

[detoxifying]

Maker-willing, it will stay that way. [ A sigh. ] But, I suppose it was "better" than the Jabberwhelp blighting the land and attacking Caer Glaem when I arrived.

[ He offers the most reassuring look that he can muster, before slipping into a frown. ]

The Void is nothing, to put it in the simplest terms. [ A pause, as he recalls what the elves had told him. ] It is not life or death, but simply the... end of all existence.

[ As to what has been done about it... ]

Has anyone told you of the goals of the courts yet? That... is perhaps the most important thing in understanding what the Seelie and Unseelie have done.

[wwjd]

[Kirei doesn't know about the Jabberwhelp, either.]

Does death not follow it? How do cities and islands fall to the Void?

[It's a pretty direct question. He's wondering what it looks like.]

I am vaguely familiar with the causes of the Seelie and Unseelie, yes. The Seelie fight to protect the natural order of the world. The Unseelie are concerned only with themselves.

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[aslandish]

The Void is the mechanism by which all things shall be made new.

Once this world is consumed, out of the ashes and darkness, new worlds will be brought forth and others reborn.

It is this cause the Seelie fight for.

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[wwjd]

[Aslan...]

Yes. It's a noble cause. [He pauses.] We look forward to the future. If I may ask, Aslan, in your infinite wisdom, have you seen anything like the Void before?

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[aslandish]

I have seen the destruction of many worlds, the annihilation of all life on one of them by the utterance of a single word.

I remember the darkness of Narnia, the world from whence I came, when all was Nothing before the dawn of the first day. When the final chapter is written, and all is as it should be, that same darkness shall be seen again.

[ But: ]

The Void is different, its breadth and scope far wider. We see and feel nothing from it now, but as Time draws to an close, I expect we will see the truth of it inevitably unfold.

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[wwjd]

[Spoken like a true godly figure, Aslan. Life from darkness. "The dawn of the first day."

If nothing else, his words lend support to the conviction Seelie is the right stance.]

Do you mean to say it's like no other darkness you've ever experienced?

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[aslandish]

[ To Aslan's mind, it is not a question of right or wrong. He has seen the Void for himself, been closer to it than Kirei or most still living in this world today. He was there when it was on the verge of swallowing Mt. Verla whole, and when they failed to keep the mountain together, he watched the pyrii as they marched to their end.

There is always some measure of sadness and tragedy to be found in endings. Even so, he hopes for new beginnings - for the turning of the wheel of ages. Some may find the nature of the cycle unjust, but it is as it must be. Life must continue, and order must be preserved. ]

This world is the origin of all things -- the lynchpin of every world. What I have witnessed, I would consider types and shadows of the encroaching Void.

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[wwjd]

I see.

[Kirei understands.]

They are types and shadows of it because the one in this world is the one original darkness, the one original Void. But you believe there is more to it than just mere nothingness. Does it live? Is it... a god itself?

[Difficult questions. Maybe ones Aslan can't answer. But he's seen the places of religious observance by now, dedicated to the Void.]

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[undeterrable]

[Oh hey, it's you from the feast. Terra pauses. He's going to be watching the responses for this, because the Void has him completely stumped, on both the idea and the very aspect. It's the biggest darkness he's seen since the Land of Departure was swallowed up and began to crumble around him.]

I think I know about as much about the Void as you do, but I can tell you I couldn't sense anything inside it when I was down in Leathann.

[The thought both disturbed and terrified him.]

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[wwjd]

[It is him. Kirei has the feeling this will be educational for many new Seelies; the Void isn't especially something that's talked about too often.]

What do you mean you couldn't sense anything?

[There's a glimmer of recognition in Kirei's eyes, in his voice. Terra reminds him of the faerie in Caer Glaem and she might be a little happier with him the next time he sees her.]

Do you have some sort of special sixth sense? A magical ability to read others?

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[undeterrable]

[A few weeks ago he would have hesitated to speak of his abilities, let alone the existence of other worlds, but Terra for now simply leans back against something, tilting his head. He doesn't quite understand what Kirei means by sixth sense, but.]

I think the latter's a bit more accurate. I was taught to sense the Light and Dark in people's hearts.

[He wondered why he didn't try and sense Xehanort's, but he knew the reason. He'd been angry and bitter, at himself, at everyone else. That anger and bitterness had clouded his senses, and Terra shakes his head.]

There's nothing in the Void for me to pick up like that.

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[wwjd]

[... Intriguing.]

I see.

[As far as other worlds and certainly magic goes, Kirei is able to accept a lot without batting an eye. The magic part comes from his own home world, where the mysteries and intricacies of magic are rampant. The "other worlds" part comes from spending almost a full month in the Drabwurld.]

Others say it may be nothingness, that it isn't affiliated with either light or dark at all.

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[undeterrable]

[Nothingness makes him think of what Xehanort told him about Vanitas, and his frown deepens, lips pursing together. It's not the first time he's heard of something similar to that in his own world; the story of the crystal is so similar to the Keyblade War that Terra wonders if they're not one and the same. Did all stories come from the Drabwurld and wind up in their respective worlds?]

Reminds me of someone I know.

[It's all he offers Kirei as an explanation for his expression.]

But even if it isn't affiliated with Light or Dark, everything has a heart.

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[wwjd]

[Is it possible for a person to be as neutral as the Void supposedly is? He simply stares at his locket.]

... You submit that the Void has a heart?

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[dicktionary]

I'm new too, and I've been trying to figure out the same thing. So far, as far as I can tell, it's like... It's a common enemy between the Seelie and Unseelie. Have you been to Leathann yet? Or...

[ He peers at the image from the locket. ]

Oh. You're there now, right? I was just gonna say, you can see it but I guess you can tell that.

you got it! video here, too

[wwjd]

I am indeed in Leathann. I've seen it from the coast; I've been advised it's not safe to venture any closer.

[Which didn't, uh, stop him from getting closer to it. Through a series of unique coincidences. Yeah.]

I trust you've been here as well, and you've viewed it for yourself?

[dicktionary]

Yeah, I saw it from the coast. There were some people in boats out on the water, but I've also been told they're idiots who don't listen to warnings.

[ Grinning as he mentions that, and then shrugs. ]

But there's only so much research to be done from watching at a distance. Most people don't really know much about it, though, except that it's eating the world. Have you learned anything?

[wwjd]

The habits of the locals are beyond my grasp, still, even after a week. [Which is a nice way of saying "be nice". (Or he wants to grab a ride on one of those boats, who knows.)] I would agree it'd be fortunate if we could approach it right up to where it exists, but I know nothing about what waits at the edge. It may be instantaneous death. It's likely there's a range that's safe, and if we cross past a certain point, we won't be able to return.

[Clearly he puts a lot of thought into some things.]

I believe it is alive, if that counts as something useful.

[dicktionary]

It does, actually. [ He hums, tapping his chin in thought. ] You think it's sentient too? Like, is it actively choosing to do what it's doing or is it just doing it because that's what it does? Or like... Is it just something that needs sustenance and the world's its only form of food?

[wwjd]

I think it's a combination of all three.

[Kirei answers with little hesitation. It may sound nonsensical, but give him a minute.]

If the Void is alive, it follows that there's a chance it's sentient. It appears to have a purpose. Its choice to do what it's doing and its given purpose might just be one and the same; similarly, this is all it can feed on, because this is what it's meant to do.

[The god lion told him this much, so it's okay to say it, Kirei figures.]

[uptowngirl]

[ Cheerful or not, if this man knows what he's doing, that's what matters, isn't it? Asami isn't familiar with the symbolism portrayed here, but she is curious. ]

Are you a healer of some kind?

[ It seems fair to ask. ]

Unfortunately I'm new too, but I know some people who have been here for a while and would probably answer your questions.

c:!

[wwjd]

[If anything, Kirei often knows what he's doing before he speaks publicly like this.]

In that I have the capacity to heal, yes. Some of the citizens here may call me a "healer", but I consider myself nothing more than a servant of my God.

[He stops the cleg, and smoothly climbs off of it as he continues on.]

Are you able to give me their names? I would understand if they're busy.

:D!

[uptowngirl]

[ Of his God. Perhaps, no ruling deity here, if there is one. She's still figuring it out herself, but people from all sorts of worlds are convening in one place, it's an excellent opportunity to learn about bothers. ]

It's kind of you to offer to help, regardless. I think we can use all the help we can get right now.

[ Asami smiles at his request. ]

Of course not. They're my friends--from before showing up here, I mean. Korra has been making herself available to people for a while now. I'm sure she'd be happy to help.

[wwjd]

Certainly. The silver sickness is not completely obliterated. It's only my duty.

[And that's reassuring. A smile doesn't reach Kirei's face, but he definitely intends to check his leads out if they relate to the Void.]

Korra? Does she have a title she goes by? [It wouldn't do to be disrepectful.] Do you mean to say you have other friends here, or know of others, as well?

[uptowngirl]

She does. To be honest it's a little strange calling her by it, but it's "Dragonkin", I think. Back home we know her as the Avatar. [ Her eyes gain a little warmth at the name. ] I think she'd be happy to go by either.

[ Asami has a clear preference, though. ]

I've been lucky enough to meet some people here, but Korra and a mutual friend of ours were here when I arrived.

[ She knows Mako would be willing to help too, he's just a little more...reclusive. ]