video; seelie + unseelie (hermione-net.)

[babbylon]

[The feed opens to a broad view of a dilapidated Leathann. The buildings no longer shine with pristine gold; the people no longer laugh and smile and conduct their business in the market square. Instead, there's a large crowd that's gathered around him, and an even bigger one working in the background. Hauling off rotten pieces of plywood, handing out strange necklaces of ground blood and feathers, and doing whatever they can as fast as they can for the sake of the island's survival.

And in the middle stands Gilgamesh, clad in his gilded armor, as he addresses both the remaining citizens and the compass, suspended before him by magic. For those who've seen him recently, they'll know he's at the end of his figurative rope; none of that exhaustion shows through now, however.

Now, he radiates only confidence and strength and so wields the full force of his Charisma for all to behold.]

People of the Drabwurld, hear me. I address you in the hopes I find sympathetic ears and minds, undeafened by the pull of the Void and unclouded by improper judgment. I have decreed it that Leathann shall not fall. Not to looming apocalypse, nor anything else.

[Sharp eyes lift to scan across the faces present. These are the few, the faithful. The ones left behind. He speaks to them as much as his outside audience.]

I am the Hero of the Garden. I alone may till it as I see fit. I will not abide another power, some rival god or false messiah. I will not abide an end that comes without my authority behind it. What of fate? What of destiny? I curse them both and pursue my own path, as should you.

[Some scattered cheers rise up, but Gilgamesh ignores them, and confronts those tuning in proper.]

I call upon each and every one of you to assist me in this endeavor! See that Leathann lives and that we all may face tomorrow, together!

[Gilgamesh clenches his fist and shouts; even over a distance, the force of it nearly can be felt.]

Rally to me! The time has come, the miracle descends now! The miracle Gilgamesh has wrought, which shines beyond the darkness! IRNITTU!*

[Is he aware of how ridiculous he sounds? Probably not. The feed remains on and follows Gilgamesh about his rounds as he pitches in his own efforts in various ways. He's open to discussion, but don't expect much in the way of listening to any disagreement. He's effectively immune with his current mood.

*"Victory!"]

(( Accompanying log here! ))

Comments

Hermionenet, Video

[gordianknots]

So, what shall you do with Leathann once it's out of the Void's grip?

And for that matter, what landmass will it hover over?

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh just grins.]

As if you need such a foolish question answered.

[I'll rule it, of course. As for the second...]

I imagine it will float wherever it pleases. A suitable throne for a king among the heavens.

video;

[digophelia]

[ Normally, this sort of thing would have earned a scoff from Alice, who was always so ready to blow past anyone who spoke in such a matter. She thought so little of authoritative figures and yet-

That was Leathann? She had heard of how lovely it once was and never seen it for herself. She spent the past few weeks keeping to herself and with the children, almost in her own world and rightfully so. Alice looks as if she's been crying, again, and she has, off and on for weeks. She's been miserable and yet... something like this -- Ahgmor or not -- makes her feel a little bit better.

It's good to see one heroic spirit hasn't been hampered, as far as she knows. A rallying cry to stop the Void almost makes her cry. Then again, any little thing has been making her cry, lately. She's been out of the loop with Leathann, she knows she's been trying to coordinate efforts to get some children out of there. ]

Are you going to help them?

[babbylon]

[Though she didn't specify, Gilgamesh seems to understand at once what she means.]

A colleague of mine has seen to the evacuation of the children. Alice...

[There's no time and no energy to express sympathies for whatever tragedy may have befallen her, but his features soften all the same. His tone eases to something gentler, and so Gilgamesh proves he seems to understand a lot more than he lets on behind that arrogance.]

It was those same children that believed in me, that cheered my name, when few others did. I would never have any harm come to them.

not here;

[aslandish]

[ Aslan listens.

He remembers that first day at the feast when they met one another and spoke of this world and its mysteries.

He remembers a journey around the drabwurld itself, the small adventures along the way.

He remembers a night spent in fear curled in a ball on this man's pillow after visions of a coming war.

He remembers going forth into battle, a golden standard set out to drive back the curse of the Dullahan.

He remembers other things, receiving aid from Gilgamesh in Leathann, the banshee by the Pool of Souls, and sharing one of his most favored tales.

He also remembers the last conversations, and he knows their paths are set apart.

Aslan does not answer. He only watches, and a sharp wind blows that day towards Leathann.

Their paths will not cross again until the final stage is set, and the End is fully come. ]

telepathic

[depicted]

[Oh, Gilgamesh. Dorian actually has to smile seeing that on the network. It reminds him of when they first met.]

Do you need a final check on any spells?

[babbylon]

I need something else from you, Dorian.

Something much more important.

compass; voice

[notyetlegend]

[Because who does video at a time like this? It reminds her of Treun, the day that she decided he'd have her loyalty. Her voice comes over as light and teasing, the sound of one or two of her hounds barking in the background.]

Very inspirational, ghrian.

[babbylon]

[Busy though he may be, Gilgamesh still finds space to preen like a pretty, pretty bird for his lovely atmu.]

I do try.

voice;

[colorofthesky]

[ He knew time was running out.

He's been working all this while, too hard, perhaps, and he's starting to feel the strain.

There's too much to do, too many place he wants to be, too many people he wants to help. He's only one man, though, and he can only do so much.

The call is heard, though, and while he hasn't forgotten his commitment, it does bring his focus back to home. ]

I'll be there as soon as I can.

[babbylon]

Time to earn your blade, knight. I'll see you there.

[A brief pause, then:]

Whatever happens, I won't forget promises made. You shall be anointed, one way or another.

locket; voice (private)

[undeterrable]

I'll be there as soon as I'm done convincing a few people to evacuate.

[It wouldn't take him long to reach the main city with Blue, but he still wanted to check in.]

[babbylon]

Understood. We'll need your support the most, Terra. Even with the dryads behind us, the earth is a difficult master to tame.

/private/

[erythristic]

...May you take success from its heights and bring it to you, my king.

[it is as close as she can come to saying be safe.]

private;

[babbylon]

May you look after yourself well, Lady, and remain in good spirits, even during these uncertain times.

[Urgently:]

We are enemies no longer. It's a complicated matter, but... don't worry about it now.

private;

[independant]

[ Rin doesn't waste her time using a public network or anything that belongs to another: she addresses the man who desires to be a hero once more through her own magic. ]

Incredible. [ Even she's a bit overwhelmed by his speech. ]

Should I-? [ Be there? Rin's not sure if she has the willpower to leave the children behind, but he did ask her to witness the transition into heroism once more. To be worthy of his title... wouldn't it be a waste if she were away for it? ] I mean, um, where should I go? You need me, don't you?

[babbylon]

I need you.

[Those are the only words that Rin will hear in return. They are the only ones necessary, as they've already discussed at length all they're putting at risk here. All Rin would stand to gain in exchange for her assistance, the legacy that she'd inherited with Saber's death.

She may have refused it, but the offer to obey a single command remains. The will to become that Hero again dominates. And so, I need you.]

video;

[wwjd]

[The transmission comes from a compass bearing Kirei Kotomine's signature, but he is nowhere to be found. Instead, a light, feminine voice lilts up, and she carefully balances the compass in her hand before the video picks up a group of children. Many of them will be familiar.

Her hand swishes to the side of the compass' pane after all momentary troubles (and there are a few of them) have been smoothed over; she counts off in a cheerful, sing-songy melody and then they cheer altogether, happy and smiling—]

Thank you, Hero!

[—the compass scanning across to capture them in turn.

From there, the video closes.]

text;

[babbylon]

[A single message awaits Kirei when he's regained his compass:]

Thank you, Master.

[Gilgamesh has left him nothing else. There's nothing more to say.]

[vengeance_driven]

What are you going to do, ask it nicely to chill the fuck out?

...Seriously, is there a way to slow this shit down or make it back off without doing the whole "end all life and babies forever" crap?

[babbylon]

The power contained within my blade is not unlike that of the Void. If the worst comes to pass, I shall challenge it with my last stand.

[Is he aware of how crazy he sounds? Most definitely not.]

Hermione net Compasses

[cinnamoned]

[The Void. It threatens so much. Yet people have such different views. Whether to welcome it or try fight it. Either way, it seems thus far they can do little to stop it, but that doesn't mean some might not try.]

I was taught some basic earth bending, if that might help? Assuming others will also be there I could possibly train with them to assist in the efforts. I know that didn't work so well last time we tried, but. Unless you had some other strategy in mind here?

[babbylon]

Any assistance, no matter how slight, would be greatly appreciated.

[Gilgamesh isn't about to turn anyone away, novice or otherwise. His overflowing confidence more than compensates for any deficiencies on her part.]

There are others like you who would join us. Together, you will surely make a difference. The strategy here... it's strength. Strength and hope.

video.

[nibelheims]

[ cloud does not know gilgamesh, doesn't know of his motives or his history, of deeds done or any crimes committed. but in this moment it doesn't matter much -- this is home to no one -- yet he is ready to defend a place and ask for help from all. he has to admire that, even just a little. and it helps that his own recent-ish visit to leathann has endeared him to its struggles as well, created a desire to see the place standing on its own two feet again. ]

I can help in whatever way you choose to fight the Void and save Leathann.

[babbylon]

[Cloud may not know Gilgamesh, but Gilgamesh certainly knows Cloud from observing his behavior around Zack for long enough. He seemed a bit skittish, a bit uncertain, but no less determined at his core for it. Gilgamesh can respect that. Gilgamesh has a use for that.

So he'll reach out to him now, absent his usual edges, with a reserved smile.]

Cloud Strife, yes? I believe Zack mentioned you. We are well-acquainted with each other.

[He keeps the suggestiveness out his tone for now, decides to behave. No need to alienate potential assets straight away.]

If his wishes are your wishes, then aid the people of Leathann. Clear the rubble and see them to safety. If you possess magic, I've other tasks for you.

[transmarine]

You've a way with words.

[Not that Arthur was ever one for too many words himself, but he could easily see this man is a military leader, and a successful one at that.

Even if most of his speech was loaded with far too many frilly words for his taste. Atlantis has no appreciation, much less time, for that sort of talk.]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh racks his brain with this one, but comes up short as far as names go. Instead, he nods his gratitude in a rare moment of humility.]

I was born to lead, made to guide the future of all. It is both my responsibility and my pleasure to assume the reins of command.