genessia | Words from Beneath the Earth. [VIDEO]

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Words from Beneath the Earth. [VIDEO]

WHO: Satori and You
WHAT: Guardianship Related
WHEN: May 30th
WARNINGS: Possible Snark, Being Stared At

A video feed shows up on the communicators of Fayren and Genessia at large. Satori, who seems her typically dour self, takes a moment to check whether it's recording or not. Her third eye glares into the camera and floats up to watch it, as if it was a staring contest. After a moment, the eye lowers, revealing Satori's face tucked into a reserved half-smile. It seems she's recording this in one of the more impressive private rooms at home, showcasing some complex stained glass lit by distant lights and flames outside, walls covered in ornate wood paneling and intricate features of carved stone. She was seated on a small armchair, the camera placed on a chair opposite, at about eye level.

"I may be a stranger to some of you. Some may know me by name or reputation. Perhaps you may have heard of my sister, Koishi. She has been rather prolific, here, and usually tends to make herself known." She paused for a small, amused snicker.

"But, regardless, I've lived among you for quite a while. My name is Satori Komeiji, a satori youkai, like my namesake. I mean you no harm, regardless of how fearful some may be of my unique talents. I've recently been nominated for the position of Guardian, and I intend to make my peace, here, in order to settle any misconceptions and...speak my mind, as much as that expression's warranted."

After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she continued... "I assure you that, while I may know the minds of other beings through my powers, and even alter the perceptions of others, I am not cruel, nor ignorant of your struggles to make sense of your place in the world. I have struggled as you have, and I'm well aware that the world can often be a cruel place, which makes compromises for no one and where fair treatment can never be guaranteed." Rather seriously, her third eye narrowed, while her face seemed to take on a determined, yet thoughtful sort of expression, resolute in her stance on this issue. "But, I'm sure that all of you realize that we cannot always face it alone. Under my watchful and competent guidance, I hope to provide all who support me with the protection, advice and safety they deserve."

A panther's paw, and eventually its head can be seen peeking over her lap, watching the camera as well. Satori smirks, pets its ears and it relaxes... "While I appear ambivalent or uncaring at first glance, I've been informed by others that I'm also kind at heart. My sister, most likely, has attested to that, and I won't deny that she may be right. She is, most of the time." A faint fragment of happiness could be seen from mentioning her sister, quickly fading away as she returned to her speech, looking like she was getting close to the end of it.

"Therefore, if it pleases you to accept me as Guardian of Fayren, I intend to resolve issues in an efficient and uncompromising way, with the added foresight my kind can provide." Satori crosses her arms slightly and checks the device once more. She adjusted it to give a slightly better angle of her face, making sure that people could clearly see her, and her expressions. "I'm afraid that's all I've to say on the matter, and I look forward to watching over you all, someday, to learn from each other's mistakes." She pauses a moment, before inquiring... "If anyone has any inquiries about me, what I intend to do as Guardian, or anything else that needs answering, please make your thoughts known to me. I will try to answer as much as I can..."

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What an interesting turn of events.

[Even considering the time they've spent together, Satsuki is still quite surprised by this. When they first met she would have never imagined the older Satori even considering a Guardian position and to see how much her views have changed has been quite the trip.]

Actually there is one question in particular that comes to mind; is there a youkai equivalent of a Guardian where you are from?

Back to her even expression, drumming her fingers on the side of her chair in thought, Satori gave a rather straightforward answer.

"A youkai which acts like a Guardian...I can't think of a youkai in such a position of power. Most areas tend to have their own groups, with their own goals, but a certain human, the Hakurei Maiden, serves roughly a similar role in reining them in. Exactly how well she accomplishes her task of defending our world from peril is entirely dependent on who you ask. I've only met her rarely, and she's quite contrary, in person."

She let her third eye narrow slightly as she continued... "She's rather opinionated, self-centered and aloof, and despite her flaws, she is much better than nothing. I know this, because my sister had a habit of talking about her, whenever they crossed paths."

Edited 2015-06-01 02:39 (UTC)

"Hakurei.. The shrine if I recall correctly. All in all, that does make enough sense to understand how things work." Satsuki replies, followed by a moment of thoughtful silence.

Afterward she switches the feed to private.

"Komeiji, I will be straightfoward with you; I may as well tell you now rather than have you find out when we meet in person. To me that Guardian position takes priority over my social relationships here. There are specific things that I must accomplish and opinions that I hold that would result in souring our relations. My goal to convince others to share my beliefs is a process that will not work with you, and likely not Gilgamesh."

"I will not ask you to stand down. But I do want you to be aware that your becoming a Guardian would slow me down and because of that I cannot support you."

Satori, likewise, privately conveyed the next part of her message. "And, for a moment, I thought you would not be like the others, Lady Satsuki...while I have great respect for you, I'd advise you to avoid presuming my intentions are necessarily against your own. Let it be clear that I'm not merely doing this for my sister's sake, either." Satori paused for a moment, speaking rather frankly to the human who'd offered her support in the past. "You are a human with great ambitions and potential, that much is certain. However, you tend to manipulate others, tell them nothing, and expect them to blindly trust you. Do you fear I'd sabotage your plans, or do you truly have such little faith in me?"

Satori betrayed hardly anything of her emotions, as always, resolute in the face of Satsuki's apparent opposition, "...I do not intend to stand down, Lady Satsuki, and I leave you with one piece of advice before you go any further: my guardianship is equally important to me as yours is to you. Perhaps you see me as a rival in your bid for power, or you believe I'll harm the plan you have in mind. I've done neither. I only assume you're trying to discern this for yourself?" She leaned forward a little, keeping closer to the screen to make her point that much clearer, tenting her fingers. "I wish to remain allies, for as long as our goals intersect. But you must consider the fact that I'm very much aware of what's going on, Lady Satsuki. Koishi is much more clever than she seems, and thinks highly of the both of us. A conflict of interest between us would be the exact opposite of what she intended, regardless of how the situation plays out. After all, she reccomended me to this position, in the first place. On some level, even she understands how we could stand to benefit from it."

The third eye was unblinking as it narrowed itself in time with her own eyes. "Unfortunately, while cleverly organized, your plan isn't nearly clever enough. Especially due to a certain power you happen to lack in this place. With any luck, I have some resources of my own which you might enjoy. A woman of your intelligence passing such an offer would be maddening to consider." The eye relaxed slightly and she leaned back once more, still watching her, carefully. "That said, I have no reason to break company with you, or cause any dispute..." the mind-reader stated rather frankly "...but I also understand that being too sociable during elections may reflect badly and draw undue attention. Especially when some individuals may be much greater threats."

With a small sigh, she added, sounding bitter and slightly exasperated. "Now you've heard me out, lay down your nonsensical bulwark of duty-and-honour and speak truthfully. Are you saying you would turn your back on my sister and I out of fear?" Her tone stayed just as bitter, her third eye blinking and dilating as it, too watched Satsuki through the feed. "Before assuming how I feel and where my intentions lie, have a little more tact before resorting to such a sour line of inquiry."

Edited 2015-06-04 06:01 (UTC)

Satsuki crosses her arms as she listens to the satori, though unlike the other she looks increasingly annoyed- She tries her best to keep a neutral expression, but for whatever reason is unable to do so. As far as she's concerned it is an absolute fact that she isn't 'like the others', but that isn't the point of this subject.

"Are you suggesting, then, that it is better to assume that our intentions align? You realize you say what you do only because you know more about me than I do about you. Perhaps if you bared all of your secrets to me, you would have a leg to stand on with your suggestion. I have spent an entire weekend with you and have barely managed to learn anything about your drive. Koishi Komeiji, on the other hand, has given me reason to adopt an optimistic attitude toward her. It should be clear to you why that is the case."

There's a moment of silence. Of course Koishi had the best intentions in mind when putting this together. Satsuki has been on the receving end of the Koiballs best intentions many many times- sometimes they brought amazing results. Other times much less so. Either way she feels it isn't worth touching upon.

".. You have mistaken fear for common sense. When you look at a map and see one road reaches your destination in two miles and the other in fifteen, do you believe the person who takes the two mile road is afraid of the fifteen?" Satsuki takes in a deep breath. When it's released, her shoulder seem to slouch a touch. "On the other hand I suppose you could still be correct; it is entirely possible that you are not the fifteen mile road. Perhaps I have spoken the way I have out of.. Frustration. But maybe you also understand my hesitance. What would you recommend we do to resolve this?"

Edited 2015-06-05 03:09 (UTC)

"This is exactly the same dilemma I described, to put your trust blindly into someone based only on what they have to say. I will be frank with you as much as I can: It is a rarity that a human would ever gain a youkai's respect, let alone one of a satori. We are notoriously difficult to please." The last part, she added with a slight turning of her head away from the camera, as if she felt slightly exasperated. Inhaling a deep breath to return to her point, she continued soon enough. "While I know many secrets of yours, Lady Satsuki, the fact that I haven't announced them to your enemies or thrown you to the wolves should speak volumes about my views on you. In our earlier spirit of cooperation, I would prefer if we came to a mutual agreement. Your opposition and worries are entirely understandable, and I will not ask pardon for my analysis of your actions. From what I see, I am only considered difficult to deal with because you're assuming I was to be a difficulty in the first place. You've misread my point of view, and among even the best of humans, this is to be expected."

Satori leaned back once again, still exasperated, as if Satsuki didn't quite understand, and she felt like being blunter would be the only way to get through the uncompromising human's doublethink. "I only stay silent about my own ideas because, much like you, I fear that if the smallest weakness is shown, it will devastate me. And besides that, on the topic of my sister, some of what I do will be in order to protect her as well as myself." She paused a moment, drumming her fingers on the side of the chair again, while her third eye moved over to watch the image more closely. On some level, she was watching to see how she'd react to so-called 'common sense' thrown back at her. "And naturally, you would not be so cruel as to jeoparadize what little I have for your own ends." She mutters, coldly. "If you ever resorted to such underhanded means, I would have no qualms in bringing about your ruin."

Rather sagaciously, Satori continued for a moment longer, her annoyance giving way to a point. Once again, her face betrayed no emotions, but her third eye was dilated and fixed wholly on the screen, showing that the youkai mind reader was clearly agitated on some level. Perhaps she was just trying to be understood. "...Regardless of the length of your proverbial 'roads', the way you go about these ideas are somewhat flawed, in my opinion. You distrust me and grow frustrated because you cannot seem to understand me, but if I may be fully honest with you, there is a truth that we satori youkai learn very early in our lives: The mind's experience of others relies mainly on understanding part of the person, rather than the whole. Even a mind like my own has no capacity to take in an entire person's understanding and personality, so conscious minds rely on those isolated snapshots to make split-second judgements. To claim to understand a person entirely is a folly in itself, and yet, so many judge upon that slight understanding, that sliver of a being's true self, assuming it can stand in for the whole."

Satori added, bluntly, perhaps laying off on the more bitter parts of the conversation.... "I have clear desire to cooperate with you and I've made it clear several times. Sadly, now isn't quite the time to be explaining my situation. Such things are best left for speaking face to face. Feel free to stop by Chireiden for some tea, and I'll be willing to discuss my plans and feelings about this situation at length. And if you'd wish to know me better, it might be in your best interest to use that opportunity, don't you agree?" A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she relaxed herself. There was something about that smile, despite all her embittered speech about the complications of this predicament. For a moment, Satsuki might notice that there was a certain sincerity behind it. "My sister will certainly be happy to see you. Full disclosure can't quite be avoided, should you visit, but trust that your secrets will be safe with me."

Bluntness is something that Satsuki is perfectly fine with from Satori; though the same could go for couple others she found herself confiding in. And really, that was what Satsuki had anticipated the elder satori to be: someone she could confide with to a certain extent. If it weren't for Yukihime, the circumstances might have ended up being different from the way they are now, but that is another story.

The Nova Guardian listens patiently and somehow she seems less annoyed than before. There isn't much movement aside from a hand raised to her chin in moments of thought- the third eye at no point really bothering her either. That reaction primarily comes from the rebuttal and while there is a strong temptation to interrupt, she manages to hold herself back.

In the end, though, it's an extremely impressive deconstruction. There are some thoughts that she disagrees with, but in the grande scheme of things she has to concede that it isn't really important either. The most important part is that it is entirely possible her way of going about this was flawed. She had intended to improve and expand upon her methods, but it seems she hasn't been making as much headway as she had originally thought.

Eventually a sigh passes her lips as she closes her eyes. Does she agree? Her eyes open once more, not with a dullness of defeat but shining in inspiration.

".. I agree. I also recognize my errors and shall improve myself during my time here. It seems I still have a ways to go." she replies, though even with a determined expression there's no doubt that she's embarrassed by the position she put herself in when she wasn't before.

So it seems one of my fellow competitors has decided to make herself known.

[Her voice is slightly amused, the voice of a practiced politician. It belied the fact that she was actually somewhat worried. A mind reader? She'd make sure to keep her distance. Not out of malice but there were secrets that aren't ready to be known as of yet.]

I have a question, then. What sort of leader are you? One that rules from afar or one from the front lines?

Oh dear, this sort of question was bound to come up, sooner or later. The youkai's voice seems equally amused, perhaps more than a little interested at this second curious individual's question. Even without being able to read her mind, she had a feeling that this woman would be an interesting one to match wits with. Satori's face showed no complications or trouble about explaining herself.

"Most of the time, I've a preference for remaining at afar and staying there." She offered a small, somewhat confident smile. "...But, make no mistake. Simply because I prefer being indirect does not mean that I will shy away from front lines and important places, when the situation demands. I am, in some ways, gifted in understanding the hearts and minds of others, as well as resolving their disputes and mistakes. While I am firm in decisions, I will always consider myself to be a strategist who will take the thoughts and experiences of my allies and build from them."

And still not missing a beat, she continued, her third eye relaxing itself and looking into the distance. "If the matter's of dire importance, I shall make myself known, and I'll personally intervene. The Oni who lived in the Underground were quite aggressive towards my arrival in what was purportedly 'their' territory. Fearing I would shatter their minds by living alongside them, they often threw bricks into my windows and scrawled obscenities around my home. Some of them would threaten my sister and I a little more directly. In time they quickly learned that I was not to be trifled with. The more civil arrangements I've had with them are a result of them knowing rather well what I could've done, if I weren't as kind." She leaned back a little. "Needless to say, we reached a tenuous, but lasting peace."

"Then let me refine my question a little."

She doesn't seem all that impressed by the answer. "Do you know what the people of Fayren really need? A mind-reader might be able to read their current thoughts, of course, and you say that you'll intervene should things turn dire. Yet, truly, especially in such an area of current strife someone who would only appear should the need arise would seem more than callous."

"But, if you'd expect I'd let a disaster pass unnoticed, you'd be quite mistaken." Satori camly replies, sounding assured in her own grasp of the situation. She'd thought that others would probably question or make challenges to her leadership qualities, and situations like these had been amongst them. She wasn't about to have just anyone fool her with such a loaded question. "My abilities permit me to comprehend far more about people from their surface thoughts, alone, than most beings would ever understand in their entire lives. What Fayren's people require is someone who can and will understand them, one who can bring forth some sort of order through that knowledge. And I'd be a fool if I let just anyone or anything run rampant." She leaned her hand onto her cheek as she tilted her head to the side, looking, perhaps, a little pensive.

"To clarify my earlier statement, I would rather deal with issues before they'd reach such a point." Her tone changed slightly, as if she was teaching, not just explaining her position, with a hint of her typical stoicism. "You see, I will impose nothing taxing upon those who live in Fayren in return for their loyalty while performing my duties. I only ask in return that they put their faith that no threat or harm shall go unchecked or unanswered, great or small. And in the case they do, I am fully prepared to take responsibility for sorting them out." Her explanation out of the way, she added... "I intend to speak a little more about this at the debate and I hope that satisfies your curiosity."

Edited 2015-06-06 05:14 (UTC)

"Yet, does that mean you truly know the people of Fayren? As you say, they need someone to understand them, yes, but how can someone ruling from an ivory tower truly know when to interfere? They need a leader and not some distant figure."

Satori shook her head, as if Darklaw simply didn't understand what she meant. Or, quite possibly, refused to understand out of pride. While the youkai hid her emotions rather well, Satori despised prideful individuals. They held a special place in her bitter heart. "My towers are hardly considered 'ivory', but I'd assume it's much better to have a leader who effectively coordinates the efforts of her followers than one who believes that the outward appearances of their rule is what matters most." The mind-reader quickly rebutted the rest of the woman's argument with ease, finding it to be rather flimsy and only meant as a challenge.

"Please, take into account what I am, before you make accusations that I am ineffective. While bitter, I am not cold-hearted enough to let things fall apart or leave myself open to some sort of mutiny. Mutiny almost always happens under duress and disorganization. As part of the process, I intend to make my term of Guardianship as smooth as possible, to consolidate and learn their hearts and minds. If complications arise in Fayren, I will be one of the first to know."

Edited 2015-06-09 00:59 (UTC)

"Your abilities mean little if you aren't near enough people to actually use your abilities to effective levels."

Indeed, she was using quite a lot of bravado in this conversation. It would be expected of someone who claimed to be a leader of an Inquisition, wouldn't it? Whether it was truly pride... well. Only Darklaw knew that (for the moment) and she would like to keep it that way. "However, we shall see."

Ah, Satori... a pleasure to meet you, at last. I imagine you've heard about me from Koishi. I am the Dark Adonis, Vyers, the current City Guardian of Attleton. I fully intend to keep that position if I'm able.

Tell me, how do you believe you can best protect Fayren?

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Satori replies with a small, respectful nod for Attleton's guardian. "Koishi has told me a little about you, and it seems you've made quite a name for yourself..." Her third eye relaxes and unfocuses as she continues speaking, taking a moment to adjust herself in her seat. "I trust we'll learn more about one-another in due time, but for the time being, I'd be content with divulging a little of what I have planned for Fayren. It will begin with the organization of a group which will quickly provide an effective response during times of crisis. Both in the gathering of relevant information and solving events of crimes and conflict. I imagine that these will be taken from the population of Fayren, or those willing and able to provide their skills. They will report to my prospective deputy guardian and I. to offer regular updates as to Fayren's status."

"In theory..." she continues, "This will ensure that no stone will be unturned, so to speak. It is here that many would question of 'who will watch the watchmen', and the answer will be 'myself'. As I've explained, I will infringe as little as possible on the freedoms of Fayren's people, nor pressure them towards my authority. But I will expect to be well informed by them in turn. Their loyalty to myself and their protectors must be firm, and I will ensure that if they are to put their trust in my efforts, our watchful eyes will shield Fayren from danger."

Edited 2015-06-09 23:17 (UTC)

"Likewise here, it has been far too long. I am glad to hear that all of Genessia have heard of my glorious self. An important first step, of course," he leant back in his own chair, waiting for Satori to settle herself down.

"That seems a sensible plan. After all, in most cases, having more eyes looking out is sensible...there are very few who can carry out a role like that alone. There is every chance Fayren will be attacked, as with any of the cities, so it is important to make sure the people in charge have the strength to protect their cities, should it come to that."

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