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Post by DataNinja on Mar 28, 2018 19:38:45 GMT
Crimson still isn't convinced of all of this... but she admits that there's probably no point in pressing the matter. She's no expert in time, and delving further into that seems like an exercise in confusion and futility. She's here now, and that's that.
There is a more pressing matter to deal with, though. "What do you mean when you say that parts of our true selves are scattered? Are you saying," she looks down at her arms and chest, "That I am not fully me? That others have shards of... my... mind or soul or something?" She stares at Othana, daring to reach out with her mind once more to try and see if she can find out more of what's going on.
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Post by Bowyer on Mar 29, 2018 3:26:28 GMT
"Bah," Iwakashi mutters. He's not one for games of chance. Or the philosophical....probability of their journey. They would succeed or fail. "Then we have good 'chances'. You hardly need to see some future to know that."
But Crimson's question did resonate with him. He hardly felt more powerful than he was before. He was still out of sorts from the ordeal of...being plucked from time. Perhaps there was something to this sharding of themselves. It was certainly something to consider while he waited for the crone to respond.
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Post by Nocturne on Mar 29, 2018 18:29:02 GMT
So it's not her that is fielding the other chess pieces, if they exist. But... pieces of myself have been scattered? Rion's eyes narrowed. I will not allow for others to lay claim to parts of my being. I am the usurper, not the usurped. Whatever it is they may hold shall be mine once again, in time, no matter what it takes. Rion avoided looking at her apparent 'comrades' for a moment as she considered something. Was it possible to claim the pieces of self that others had lost? Could they find out that these had been taken?
Not letting her thoughts show, Rion decided to ask in a roundabout fashion. "Are these pieces of ourselves able to be located through any means?"
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Post by Robot on Mar 31, 2018 14:29:47 GMT
"As much as I would like to prove your point about the universe being left to chance, young Lootbox, I am only an echo." With the statement, her eyes wandered lazily towards Crimson. There was no mind to touch, no emotion, as though the figure speaking and acting there truly wasn't. "Temporal Intangibility. Speaking from a point in time beyond you, existing everywhere and nowhere. I can change nothing of these events beyond word alone."
Othna considered the insect's question, and granted a casual not to Rion in turn. "You are as much you, as you are no longer you. With your fated blunders you became more and less. What possesses the remnants will stand out to you more stark and vivid then the rest of the world. I cannot say in what fashion, as it was not one explained to me."
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 1, 2018 0:06:52 GMT
Crimson's more unnerved by the sheer non-presence of the being before her than anything else that has been said or done so far. But she shakes that off, and demands "Stop speaking in riddles. We are but are not? As much one as the other. How can that be? If I am myself, then I can't be not myself." Ugh, language is such a clumsy construct. So hard to get across what is meant.
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Post by Bowyer on Apr 1, 2018 4:37:24 GMT
The further high concepts that Othna was talking about were lost upon Iwakashi. He was himself. His capabilities might have been enhanced but that didn't really change who he was. But hidden in it all was another interesting question. "So your purpose is to Watch. Who then are you watching for?" It stood to reason that a watcher would answer to someone. Perhaps she would be kind enough to let slip something.
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Post by Nocturne on Apr 1, 2018 20:21:35 GMT
Rion nodded slowly. This was likely for the best. If she was going to work together with these people to take over the world, it would be much easier if she didn't have to suspect them of withholding pieces of her true being, something she assumed to be a real godly form, from her. "I believe I have asked all the questions I had." Indeed, she now knew that rivals existed, whether they were chess pieces or not, though it was implied that other beings such as Othna existed, so there was a good chance there would be even more difficult enemies to face. Defeating them was key to ascending to power.
The former Duchess decided to wait and see if the others had anymore questions to ask, staying silent herself.
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Post by masterblade007 on Apr 1, 2018 21:18:45 GMT
Nothing but a temporal... echo? Bah! Time travel was bullhockey! She was no more useful than a painting of the person represented! Every amateur thief at some point in their lives lusts the powers of time; to turn back clocks in pursuit, or in fleeing, of grift. Then you run into existential time issues like this in planning, then realize the headaches involved aren't worth any payoff you'd get.
Lootbox shrugged his shoulders, turning towards the chamber's doors and making his exit. "This conversation's getting a bit too existential for my liking. I'll take inventory of what assets are at our disposal. With any luck there might be enough storage space around the castle to invite a smuggling ring to get us going. We're between five coastal kingdoms; you can't get better real estate than that for a pirate port!"
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Post by Robot on Apr 1, 2018 21:47:35 GMT
Othna gently rested a finger to the side of her nose and offered Crimson and Iwakashi only silence, before blurring away into the air itself.
(You are free to role play with each other until you are satisfied in the moment. The short of the keep is there are lower levels that are flooded, it is virtually indefensible, and even pokemon seem to have abandoned this place in lieu of better conditions elsewhere. It reeks of mildew and salt.)
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 2, 2018 19:53:10 GMT
Crimson feels some anger and irritation bubbling up as the not-being fades away. But she swiftly quells that, resolution taking its place. Regardless of being watched, being entertainment, any of that... it does not matter. She will not let it affect her. She lives once more and has another chance at grasping what is hers. And this time it will be hers.
"So," she chitters, turning once more to the others in the room, "We have been placed here at the whims of that being. What do you all intend to do now?" It is probably best to ensure she knows where everybody stands. She does not intend to have what happened last time happen again.
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Post by masterblade007 on Apr 2, 2018 22:16:12 GMT
"What else? I'm going to take my ring of thieves knocked over by fate and prop it up again." Lootbox commented. Not that his 'kingdom' was rather shiny or fancy to begin with, being a criminal element underneath actual society. But it was HIS kingdom, and that made it special. "This time I'm going to be using stronger nails and a better foundation. Like this castle! Wonder what kind of start we've got to work with." The mimic disappeared behind the chamber's exit door, humming to himself as he began his search.
He appeared again a minute later with a foul look on his face. "Castle's boned! Time Witch gave us a bum deal! It's like a sewer down there, but without anyone camped up nearby to steal goods from!" Only a simple look and a few steps were needed for the smell to hit, a few more to spot water, and a few grumbles to hear nothing but echoes. It was rather apparent why the Dreadmarsh was so abandoned; everything sucked!
Somehow it felt like they've been given worse than nothing to begin an empire with. What to do, what to do... "I don't suppose anyone usurped a god of 'drain water from a castle'? Or a god of buckets? We could use a god of buckets."
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Post by Nocturne on Apr 2, 2018 23:31:56 GMT
Rion gave the others a side way glance, before closing her eyes as she thought on her next steps. When she opened them again, she spoke clearly. "We're all kings. Conquerors even, in our own ways. There is no doubt that we will have to regain what we lost. I spun my webs in the shadows, ensnared both the small and the great, but I was never untouchable, that much was proven when my plans came to a climax, only for me to be struck down. This... let's call it an alliance? This alliance is sure to be profitable, but where do we draw the lines? In crude terms, assuming we are successful, who gets what? I believe once this is worked out, our cooperation will be much smoother."
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Post by Bowyer on Apr 2, 2018 23:48:03 GMT
It seems that Iwakashi had struck a nerve. Or perhaps Crimson's question had proved more unpalatable. It hardly mattered either way as the witch was gone. His hands grate into fists once more. If he wanted answers he'd have to find them himself...or perhaps these others could help. His attempt to rule solo had proved...fruitless.
And then Crimson asked another pertinent question. And after the others spoke he managed to give his own answer. "Play into her hand. My purpose is to conquer and to lead. Only then can Ransei know peace." His tone isn't overtly threatening but the fact that he will succeed may as well be written in stone. I've no quarrel if your goals align. He stares pointedly at Crimson as she's the only one to not answer the question herself.
"Nothing," he says in answer to Rion's pact, "I've no desire for lands and titles. Just peace and the struggle to get there." There is some additional slight hesitancy as though he wants to say more, perhaps to clarify but the moment passes.
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 2, 2018 23:57:36 GMT
"Well then," Crimson says to the stone being, after it explained its goals, "You should have no issue with me, if peace is what you seek. I learned of the strength of humans as I was expanding my hive, my reach. But," she spits out, clearly bitter despite the vocals not designed for the language, "they betrayed me. They follow too much their own whims. They are strong. Even fractured they have accomplished much. But I will unite them under my will, open their minds to the hive. I will forge a kingdom with their strength, across this beautiful world, when all their desires are my own. And there will be no infighting then."
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Post by masterblade007 on Apr 3, 2018 0:23:25 GMT
Lootbox looked between the trio. Philanthropists disguised as conquerors. How quaint! Not that he could mock this freely; he too wanted significant social reform going into this 'godhood' bit. Even if that reform was for ultimately selfish reasons.
"No dibs? There's an entire world out there; no one's going to claim a piece? Alright then, gimme Valora as my personal playpen, and all those outcasts who stalk the shadows everywhere else. I'm not much a king, but I do like the fancy chairs that come with that title."
He chuckled a bit, shaping a golden crown on top of his head and flowing, regal robes over everything else. King Lootbox of Valora, fancy that! His own corner of the world to do with however he pleased! Where freaks could walk about under both godly and law-ly authority. Might not be as fun as running a criminal empire, but there was no saying he'd have to abandon one throne for another.
"I assume you'd be wanting the rest, Miss Ebonheart?" Lootbox commented, breaking out of his daydream for a moment. "This seems like a rather workable arrangement. A Lord General to maintain peace, a Lord Inquisitor to keep the human scum in line. A Lord Treasurer to manage all the shiny bits." The mimic pointed to Iwakashi, Crimson, then himself in turn, smiling wide with a row of suddenly-golden teeth at his own title. "And for the Duchess with prior experience, Grand Overlord. Ruler of the 17 (minus mine) kingdoms. I think that might be an agreeable arrangement.
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 3, 2018 0:32:31 GMT
"No." Crimson says, bluntly. "I crawled up from the depths. I spent many years under the thumb of a ruler. I shall not be beneath another. A queen does not look to another to tell her what her hive desires."
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Post by Nocturne on Apr 3, 2018 1:58:09 GMT
Rion blinks. She is silent for a few moments, then chuckles. "There are many kinds of queens, Crimson. Why don't we work out a deal? From what you said, I can see you feel strongly about humanity's individuality and taking that away. I reckon most of us however quite like the idea of free will you see. I make you a counter offer. Humanity retains its individuality, but links up to your own mind, if you have the power to do so. You may read any thoughts as you see fit, and any dissenters will have our combined full force bearing down upon them. More than an Inquisitor, you will be Queen of Humanity's Mind, nay we will set you up as a Goddess of Knowledge, churches will praise your name and people will obey your word. Ruling is much more satisfying when your subjects have to agree to your rule, one way or another, is it not? Have you never experienced what it's like for another to agree to your terms?" Rion smiles charmingly at Crimson.
"Of course, you may be wondering what I get out of this. I have come to realize that the reason my plans failed was the lack of unified manpower. As a result, what I get is rather simple, I shall rule as Queen of Humanity's Will. The Grand Overlord, as Lootbox said. Using Pokemon and whoever may join our cause, we will make all individuals bow to rules that we all agree upon, and I will be the one to enforce them with these troops and Iwakashi as my General. Excluding Valora of course, I will leave that to Lootbox to oversee."
Rion halts for a moment, then continues. "Allow me to be frank. If this proposal works, you can know what our subjects think and want, and many will gladly hearken your words, but you cannot force them to do anything, without manpower. I will be in control of this manpower and will gladly use it to aid your cause, so long as it is a progressive cause, if not a good one. As equals, we may check each other, neither being greater than the other. How does that sound, Crimson?"
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Post by DataNinja on Apr 3, 2018 3:55:33 GMT
"Clearly you have not experienced what I have," Crimson says, disdainfully. "There is nothing greater than merely desiring something to happen, and simply having it done." She shakes her head, antennae waving wildly. "I have faced treachery. I know that there is no way to ferret out every trace of deceit and deception. If there was not, I would not be here. And with the strength of human desires as it is, merely being an observer? That is doomed to fail. Besides," she clacks, "it does not matter if they like the idea or not. When all are unified, they will be entirely content with it. I have lived both of these lives, that of a queen of a hive, and a queen of men. And I know that simply speaking to desires will not succeed. Men must become of the hive."
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Post by Bowyer on Apr 3, 2018 4:10:25 GMT
Iwakashi's eyes shift between the other three. Hardly ten minutes together and they were already bickering. It seemed he'd been joined with several politicians. But was Crimson's way truly the answer? "Unless you plan to ensnare even the winds and the rains, your plan is flawed Crimson. There are some things you cannot plan for. Your Queen could not stop you and if some usurper tries the same you may fall yet. He's silent for a moment in contemplation. Perhaps we could teach them passion to be content but surely even with a god's might you would fall short of holding the world.
Returning to the actual question the other two were discussing, Divvy it up as you will. But try and be quick about it. If Esteemed Lootbox's judgement is correct, we have much work to do and little to work with." As to what they would actually do first....well that was another matter.
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Post by masterblade007 on Apr 3, 2018 7:14:35 GMT
Lootbox turned his head back and forth between the two monarchs. Oh lord what has he started...
"Just to clarify here, when we say 'men must be of the hive' do we mean literally every sentient being in the world, or just humans? Cause like, I'm not too keen on sharing my thoughts either."
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