genessia | ✯

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✯ | Intro

(I) [Action]

( confusion is an understatement. one moment he's at ike's side, dutifully listening to his daily complaints regarding nobles and their "stupid, bloated faces," and then next he's woken in some coffin structure, with a device he can't make heads or tails of, ugly jewelry, and currency he has never seen.

the see-through woman outside who attempts some form of...explanation, is also one he carries no recognition towards. soren barely listens to a fourth of what she tells him because he's very distracted by repeatedly sticking his hand through her while she speaks. this is some high-level magic, where is the actual body?

anyway, he does hear the word kidnap and that is. certainly a problem. with the war ended, he's not sure who would be interested in kidnapping him, but certain scenarios are favorable compared to others - for instance, he'd at least like to know he isn't in daein. the architecture suggests otherwise, but...

he happens upon someone in his cautious wandering, and though their clothing looks strange, he can denote that they seem to be a civilian. let's approach. )

You there ( off to a great start!!! ) do you know where I could find the nearest library? Or inform me as to what faction of the continent we're in?

( the buildings are large and the technology is advanced...overly advanced, but uh- )

Begnion, perhaps?

(II) [Voice]

( soren prides himself on his intelligence, but figuring out the tiny device he woke up with takes him a far longer time than he'd care to admit. he manages, somehow, to access the least invasive method. he'd rather not have his face plastered all over potential enemy territory, thanks. )

I'm not sure what this is, but if I am using it correctly and others are hearing my words, then I ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of the Greil Mercenaries contact me directly and immediately.

( he pauses for a moment, studying the device in his hand before bringing it slightly closer to his face. then, in a much softer, almost pleading tone: )

Ike, if you can hear this...please find me.

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Sorry, I don't know many mercernaries, but my name is Rose Tyler. Hullo!

[Friendly wave.]

( how dare this woman infiltrate his device with her face when he expended effort to make sure he specifically did not have to do that by using the voice option? )

...If you don't know them, then I'd prefer to say goodbye.

( he starts tapping at the phone to try and make her go away, i'm so sorry he's like this. )

[This man dressed not unlike a jester certainly qualifies as a "you", and starts at the mention.]

I certainly do! Hand me your phone, and I'll input the coordinates myself. Or I can instruct you in the same; probably better; "teach a man to fish", and all that.

[Though were it not for the voice, the hair would give him doubt about the sex.]

This continent has no factions that I'm aware of; a titch monolithic. "Begnion" rings no bells. Oh! Almost forgot: I'm Ted. May I have the pleasure of your name?

( dressed as a jester he may be, it's still clothing more familiar to soren than others he's seen in this place. so long as the wearer doesn't live up to his appearance too much, he shouldn't be that troublesome to interact with. maybe. )

Yes, I'd rather not rely on the...phone. ( so that's what that thing is. such powerful magic - phone. ) Direction, and any other pertinent information you may have to offer, is preferred.

( no factions?? and he hasn't heard of begnion, the largest and most powerful country within the continent? this situation he's found himself in is sounding worse by the moment. )

Monolithic... ( well, he's right about that ) this city is not located within Tellius' borders? ( he completely looks over the name given to him, and lowers his lids in disinterest at the expectation of his in return. ) I see no reason you would want that or find pleasure in having it.

[Maybe]

Well willed. The city we're in now is a rectangle, or grid, with streets--numbered one through thirty--for its columns and avenues, ordered alphabetically, for its rows. It begins with 1st Street to the west with aspen avenue at the north, ending with 30th towards the east and Yew Avenue to the south.

[Ted blurts out the tutorial rapidly, the motormouth]

Easy enough to navigate, if you pay attention to the signs. Like that one.

[He'll point to the nearest one at hand.]

The Library is on Iris and 4th, northwest of here. Shouldn't be more than a twenty minute walk, if you're able. As for pertinence...

[He considers. What could be the most useful, important information one could possibly know?]

Love God or suffer in Hell.

[Perfect. Now he's set up for eternity. He laughed as he explained why he's so fond of onomastics.]

For starters, it'd be a very convenient address. Naturally when we're antiphonal "I" and "Thou" will suffice, but how should I pick you out of a lineup? Surely your name's shorter than "that man with the long hair."

The pleasure comes from rest in existence, for all that is is good, including names. That and ones that are well chosen--I'll assume your parents loved you--can signify yet more about one's existence.

( soren does look at the signs when they're pointed out to him. ah, that is certainly an effective and simple method, he probably could have pieced that together if he had spent more time wandering on his own. )

I see. The markers do indeed make navigation much easier, I understand now.

( the god bit gets. a Look. and then a flat response. )

Duly noted.

( and that's that, thanks ted! which soren won't even bother to say as he turns to leave towards the library, but stops two steps into doing that because this guy is still going?? his brow scrunches and he looks back, mildly aggravated. )

Are you still talking to me? ( it takes him a moment to process that the other is going on about his name? incredible. soren had already forgotten he dismissed it.

as he listens, he's struck by the notion that this isn't a person who's very aware of what they're actually saying. his hand comes up a little, like he actually intends to smash it over ted's mouth, it's getting more irritating by the second - all that is is good? parent? buddy. learn to read the mood.

thankfully, it comes to an end. it still takes soren a second to deliver his response though. )

...You can assume whatever you'd like, I care not, but so far as interaction is concerned, "that man with the long hair" would be just as sufficient as anything else, since all would be collectively met with disinterest.

( they're both apparently honest people, in the worst of ways. )

However...you provided me with useful information, and you seem to be the annoying type who does not know when to keep quiet. ( a small huff through his nose, something like annoyance, defeat, as he closes his eyes and tucks some hair behind his ear. ) It's Soren.

( there, good now? he's leaving again. )

Goodbye.

[Ted is, unfortunately, all too cognizant of what he's saying. Whether the other person's listening, to say nothing of their enjoyment, however, escapes him.]

Ahah, yes, I am, as you'll note by my continual conversation. [Is he still talking! Really, what a silly question. He does stop and let Soren have his turn; he's nothing if not a mannerly gentlemen. Once he finally prevails and receives the coveted name, he laughs, still following along, invincible to all social hints.]

Are you sure it's not "Frank"?

[Get it, cause he's so honest? Ted takes a moment to ponder the meaning of "Soren"--serious, or severe--then laughs more forcefully. See? He just knew names were a clue to their bearer.]

Haha, well you certainly live up--or down--to it! All right, Soren, I'll leave you to your reading. Let me know should you suffer for want of material; I know some very fine authors. Good evening!

[He parts amicably, as though every second of his presence wasn't suffering. He chalks it up to culture shock being especially hard on some, particularly introverts, a people he only understands in theory.]

Edited 2018-06-29 01:33 (UTC)

[ That voice.

It's not particularly welcoming, but it's familiar all the same. She wished that Robin would have been around to better guide him, but given she was the first one to hear of him.

Micaiah really doesn't want to see too many people in her current state, so her greeting comes from the video. ]

The Greil Mercenaries aren't here. They're back on our world, frozen in time.

( oh!! out of everyone who has approached him thus far, this one holds the most promise. though he is suspicious because he doesn't recognize her, he's intrigued enough by the familiarity of her response that he'll engage - even pull up video of himself! instead of trying to kick her face off his phone like he did earlier to some other nice girl;;; )

Frozen...?

( back in their world? he doesn't like the implications of that at all. )

How do you know this? And what is your association with the mercenaries?

( sorry micaiah, he's post-radiance but pre-dawn so he doesn't know your beautiful face!! )

[ Micaiah frowned. Obviously, he came from 'earlier' in their 'timeline', if she understood the flow correctly. That also meant that he doesn't know about her. If he didn't know her, he would still recognize her as one of them.

Thankfully, that distinction meant nothing in this place.

Her voice is somber when she answers. ]

This will take a bit of explanation, but I need you to be patient. The reason I know this, is because I've been here before. I was pulled both back home and back here outside of my control.

If time is frozen as you say, then I have nothing but patience to spend.

( as if to emphasize this, soren takes a seat on a nearby bench, settling his belongings on his lap as he listens to her. hearing that she has been here before is what brings his full attention back. )

So there is a way to return?

( completely ignoring outside of my control - if there is a way to return to his world and to ike's side, soren will find it, of that anyone can be sure. he is still wondering about this girl though. )

And back in our world? Who are you, so important to have been taken not once, but twice?

( unless the selection is randomized somehow? possible, but he isn't dismissing collusion so easily. )

If there is, we don't yet know of it. As I mentioned, I was pulled both to and from here outside of my control.

[ Just in case he missed it. ]

There's been some research on the true nature of this place, but due to the dangers that lay outside the barriers, it has been slow going.

[ Micaiah sighed, resisting the urge to bristle at that question. Soren was... not the nicest of persons, but he meant well. It was unfortunate that the lone reason he'd consider her close to an ally had not yet occurred where she came from. ]

I'm Micaiah. I am... [ How does she say this without lying or being dismissed? ] A fortune teller from Daein. I don't have the slightest clue on why I was drawn here twice, only that it happened.

You could say that I am privy to a few things that happen to your country's future.

( when she says barriers, soren's immediate instinct is to look up. as in his own world, the sky seems blue and endless, nothing to suggest captivity of any sort. though, according to her wording, its purpose is for protection? soren doesn't particularly care what the purpose of the barrier is, not as much as he cares that the presence of it will further impede his efforts to leave. )

So it's enclosed. ( sigh ) That will prove...bothersome.

( not that he was planning to?? launch off into space anytime soon. but it is becoming clearer that specific measures put in place like that means he's going to have trouble going at this alone. another sigh.

the girl - micaiah, she says - is not only proving to be less useful than soren had hoped, but claims she is from daein. that alone sets a furrow to his brow, edges his tone with some suspicion. the war is over but...there is certainly no reason for a daein citizen to be friendly with him, especially if she knows his association with the greil mercanaries. )

Micaiah the fortune teller. ( sure. here's a delicate raise of his brow. ) I would offer my name in return, but something tells me your apprised state concerning this matter means you may already know it. Am I right?

You are correct Soren.

[ Fortunately, given good proof Soren is likely to accept it, so she doesn't need to be so roundabout. If it's one thing that hasn't changed that she's grateful for, it's this. And indeed, even with this history there's very limited reasons for her to be friendly with him. But it does paint an interesting light on something she's curious about. ]

If I can ask a question? It might help establish a bit more proof, too.

( though he expected it, the sound of his name wrapped in a voice he's never heard still strikes an odd feeling in his chest. he's careful not to let anything slip in his expression; neutrality at its finest, a smidge less suspicion (though by no means erased) with perhaps a touch of interest. he tucks his head down a little, something almost like a nod. )

You may, and you seem to know of me well enough to understand that my answers may be selective.

[ Micaiah takes a moment to figure out how to ask her question, and hope for the best. ]

How closely have you been keeping tabs on the Begnion Senate... at least before you were dragged here? Did they ask you anything of you regarding Daein?

Begnion? That's certainly and odd topic of interest, unless you are harboring a grudge of some sort towards the matter of their aiding the princess.

( he ponders his response for a moment, and seems to decide there's little danger in offering what he knows. he is curious of her intentions with that question. )

The truth of it is this: rebuilding Crimea has been the focal point of the Mercenaries, and so beyond resolution of terms pertaining to our alliance, little contact has been made with Begnion since the war. Even during, much of our interest pointed only towards the army or the Apostle herself.

( i mean, aside from that whole slave-trade thing and appeasing the herons. he really tries not to think about all that. )

In other words, the Senate has not been a priority, though I can attest to the fact that my company finds them all to be a deplorable bunch. I'm sure there is no shortage of corruption, even beyond what the Apostle had us investigate during our time there.

I see.

[ And that made perfect sense. The Mercenaries all hailed from Crimea, so their concerns lied with their home country.

Micaiah's used the Dream Docks before, once when she had first been crowned Daein's leader but before the real nasty part of the war started. That advice might make sense to Soren, but she couldn't be sure because she didn't remember anything she learned in Genessia while she had 'experienced' more of home. ]

You are right to distrust them. After you had disposed of the mad king, Begnion took to occupy Daein and suppress its citizens. I wound up taking arms against them to get free. Afterward, they wound up enforcing a pact on us, forcing us to act against Crimea for some time, until we found the source of that pact and had it stopped.

( though it's difficult for him to envision events he has not seen nor heard of as if they were already part of his reality, soren doesn't doubt a single word micaiah tells him. there are no good sides in war, and motivations can change as easily as the shift of a tide. perhaps the apostle retains some sense of dignity, but it was quite clear to him that there was little even she could do if the senate united and moved against her. )

Yes, that doesn't surprise me. Humans with power will always find ways to trample over those beneath their feet, especially when they are drunk on victory.

( crimea, daein, begnion - it makes no difference to him. soren touches the side of his finger to his chin, staring thoughtfully at micaiah through the small screen. )

What does surprise me is that you, a simple fortune teller, are also a soldier?

[ Maybe not the smartest thing to reveal... Micaiah cursed being familiar with someone and having to work around their (rightful) distrust.

Fortunately, she could roll with this. ]

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I've seen battle, but I'm hardly what you call a soldier.

A soldier with enough skill to survive an encounter with the infamous Greil Mercenaries, apparently, upon which many have bestowed the title of Queen Crimea's personal army. Quite a feat if you ask me, unless you were cowering in fear the whole time while your comrades did all the work.

( now he's just being a jerk. but despite his doubts, soren's tone still holds that curiosity, almost to the point that his harsh words could be taken for teasing rather than disdain. )

Or is there another way you came into contact with them that you'd prefer to enlighten me with?

( he's all ears, if that's the case. )

[ Let him think her a coward if he likes. ]

Then it's fortunate that we didn't stay as enemies. Having friends is... far more valuable than you'd expect. Especially the ones who truly value you for who you are.

[ She might let that hang for a moment. ]

In any case, I'll just consider my group lucky that we survived the mercenaries long enough to settle our differences.

( something about the way she lets her words linger knits his brow, and soren can feel them settle uncomfortably in the pit of his belly. he's careful to keep his expression neutral, though it still takes him a few more seconds to respond than he would have otherwise. )

...Unfortunate such individuals are few and far between.

( moving on, he doesn't like that subject at all, let's get back to what matters here please. )

Well, regardless of the credibility - or lack thereof - lent to your position, I'm convinced enough to believe you have come from where you claim and that you have met with the mercenaries. That puts us on fair enough ground.

( aka she's really his best bet right now and he can't afford to be picky. )

You said you have been here twice, I imagine you're familiar with the layout. Perhaps there is someplace we could speak in person?

[ He's putting the pieces together. Normally, showing such hints would be the foolhardiest of risks, but Micaiah knows Soren enough to know there's a secret among the both of them. To not put him on permanent edge, Soren would have to come to that conclusion.

Still, meeting him is a bit scary. ]

Genessia has any number of calm restaurants. For safety and perhaps privacy, I believe there are booths in Moonbucks. Perhaps we can meet there?

( soren: what the hell is a moonbucks. )

If it's quiet, I have no complaints.

( so he says, but it's not like he has other options to counter her with if he did have complaints. anyway, after asking micaiah for directions to this moon place, he'll arrive in what is probably unusually fast time for a newcomer, but soren is quick on the uptake and figured the grid pattern of the streets easily enough.

still, maybe a little too fast, because he doesn't spot any silver-haired maidens upon his arrival. )

Of course.

[ While she had been helpful in guiding him there, Micaiah had considered waiting a while, since she was closer. But only a couple of minutes passed before she remembered how punctual Soren tended to be in the few times they'd been together during the assault on Ashera's tower. She decided it might be for the best to head to the place now.

Turned out that was a very good idea, because Soren was already there. She was fortunate it was quiet this time of day, and that was one of the reasons she recommended this place. ]

I should have known you'd find it more quickly than I thought.

[ She scooped up a seat just opposite of him. ]

Apologies on the delay.

( even before she speaks, soren knows she's there. not because he hears the approach of her footsteps, but rather, an innate sensitivity that brings forth a feeling he can't immediately place. but he knows it's something he has felt before; an energy that presses upon his skin through his clothing, as if to seep into the very marrow of his bones.

where...

his confusion injects a prolonged delay into the acknowledgment of her apology, and so when he comes back to his senses, soren simply averts his eyes from her as if he hadn't heard it. as if her presence caused no impact on him whatsoever. he's more interested in the moonbucks, you see, and not this horrendously familiar feeling. )

It's a bit like a tavern. Minus the drunks.

( he comments, a bit absently, and then carefully draws his gaze back to hers. soren exhales, an attempt at expelling his nerves so he can bring them to the purpose of this meetup. )

Micaiah was your name, yes? Do you still claim to be a fortune teller, or is there more to this story you wish to impart beyond the contract that shackled Daein and locked it into combat before being set free, as your tale goes.

( a pause. a small tilt of his head. the expression on his face isn't as severe as it usually is but he is clearly puzzling more than a few things out in his mind. )

Am I to take it that "settling our differences" means you eventually allied with the mercenaries?

[ Ah yes, that sensation. Micaiah managed to ignore it when she first found him, but now that she was sitting down, she couldn't help but remember that sensation. Back on their home world, she could faintly recall this sensation before the medallion overwhelmed her. However, she largely ignored it, as she always had. It was no longer a heavy feeling here. ]

There's plenty of those. Including taverns with the drunks. You'll be more likely to run into those in Fayren and perhaps Everglade.

I am in fact, Micaiah. There is a much longer story involved, however I can't be sure all of it would be useful for you to know in light of our current situation. [ She doesn't mean to be coy, so much as think that Soren would rather stick to the most important details of what's going on now. ] But to answer your immediate question, yes, I did ally with the mercenaries.

...now that I think about it, a couple of them actually are here... however, Ike is not among them.

[ She kinda realized that while she did tell the truth while she first spoke, she might have spoken too fast when she remembered Nephenee. And Leanne, who'd likely correct her. Did she count? She hadn't really seen her before everything went to hell with Ashera's awakening. ]

Edited 2018-10-27 12:31 (UTC)

Never heard of any merc company by that name. It's possible they've shown up without identifying themselves like that. Slim chance but it's something I guess.

Hm...it would be wise not to expose themselves in foreign territory, so that is certainly a possibility.

( he's puzzling it out, but in the end it's unlikely they were all taken at the same time, or that he was singled out from the group to be separated. he might be able to piece together more if he knew the alliances this genessia adhered to. )

Would you happen to know who the ruler of this place is?

( royal family, empress, anything would be helpful. )

That's... something of a loaded question here. Fayren has a royal family, the other cities have mayors, but there's also the Guardians of each city.

They're basically city-states really. As for who the guardians are... we're in the middle of figuring that one out, actually.

Mayors...?

( wow. maybe 40% of that sounded like anything he could understand. if this large red man is to be believed though, then at least this confirms soren is very much not in kans...tellius, anymore. )

Doesn't sound like a terribly organized place I've wound up in.

It's more organized than you might think, in spite of us.

( in spite of us...all right, that's a little funny. the red man earns the smallest of chuckles. )

...And you? Are you among the organization, or the spite?

A bit of both, really.

[...Well, that's a voice she never thought she'd hear. Granted, there are a lot of those, but this one especially. Cause, well, yeah, he was with Ike and she hadn't seen them in many a moon.

Nephenee matches his format, since...well, it's Soren, let's not get him agitated. She trusts he recognizes her voice, though.]

Well, didn't think Ah'd hear your voice again, Sir Soren.

Last time Ah was in Tellius, they were in Crimea, though Ah don't remember why in-specific. But Ah ain't been back in awhile.

Good to see someone from back yonder, though.

[Hey Soren it's best lancer.]

( !! that terrible accent! )

Ah - Nephenee?!

( soren isn't usually this excitable so let's hope whoever is around watching him fumble with the phone to swap from voice to video enjoys the sight. there's a slight tilt to his mouth that might even suggest he could be...smiling?! something like it anyway. he's just glad to have found someone familiar, since that means others could be here as well - including ike. )

I never thought I would be so relieved to hear your incessant stammering. ( actually, she didn't stammer at all in her message, did she? ) You seem to have found your tongue since returning to the farmlands, though.

( a pause. his brow crinkles a little, more serious. )

Before you were taken from them as well, I presume?

[Ah, there's that signature snark. She's actually kind of missed it. And is that a smile she sees there?! Maybe he's grown a little.

Well, metaphorically. She's not sure if he actually got any taller.

There's actually a chuckle from her end (a sound he's probably never heard from her) as she switches over on her end, and she herself is smiling. It's not am uneasy one, though - it's sincere. She's also in a dark blue tank top, somewhat sweaty but not breathing hard. Her long hair is pulled to the side in a braid, and her face is in full view??

Who is this and what have they done with Neph?

However, at that statement, it does quirk a bit to one side for a moment. And somewhere in the multiverse, a Nephenee is very confused by her husband bursting into furious giggles for no apparent reason.]

Ah see your tongue ain't lost its edge. But ya learned to smile, it looks like.

[It probably says something when Nephenee, of all, people, snarks at you, however gently.

But she does have to think about that bit, her smile lessening as she thinks. There's some fuzziness, but...she can recall most of that.]

Yeah...this is the second world Ah've been pulled to. Ah ain't been to Tellius in...[Hmm...] over two years, Ah reckon. In that world's time, anyway. Ah'm not sure if it's goin' at the same rate as Tellius, though. Time, Ah mean. But Ah was finally goin' to go back soon, 'fore Ah got pulled here.

If a smile would take me out of this place, I'd exercise the practice more often.

( aka gonna stop that now, but nephenee is now one of like, maybe three people who's seen the fabled soren-smile. regardless, he's more openly receptive to speaking with her than anyone else he's encountered, for obvious reasons, and when she drops a certain bit of information, soren can feel his eyes comically widen. )

Two...? ( over two years? well, that's simply out of the question. yet, soren touches his head with a coarse sigh, as it to stave off the beginnings of a headache. ) Yes...someone I met earlier mentioned as much, about time being frozen back in our...world.

( such a strange thing to say really, and he's not keen on getting used to the idea. his hand lowers as he thinks on their exchange, staring quietly off to the side for a moment and then bringing his attention back to nephenee. )

Considering your surprise to see me, is it correct to assume there are no others from the Greil company? ( he's fairly certain, but he still fails to hide a glimmer of hope in his voice. he should ask about that suspicious girl too, while he's at it. ) To that point, do you know of someone named Micaiah? A young girl with silver hair. She claims to have ties to Daein.

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✯ | Intro

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b a c k d a t e d 7/4