now with 100% fewer homicidal robots

[kingincognito]

Who: Joshua + anyone involved in the portal project!
What: The portal is finally ready!
When: Mid-May
Where: The center of the Grove
Warnings: idk it's portal shenanigans, I'll add warnings if we need them!

[ It's taken a couple of months, but with the combined effort of a few good brains, the portal is finally as ready as it's going to be. Calculations have been made, plans have been formed, and now all they have to do is put the sun and moon stones in place, and pray.

Literally, because it's been in his notes that faith could have some power in helping them get where they need to go. Hopefully.

Midway through the month, Joshua puts out a message through the netbooks. ]

To everyone that has helped with the portal:

Our efforts are ready to bear fruit. I would like to try activating it tomorrow. Let us meet in the center of the Grove at noon, when the sun is at its brightest.

We know not what awaits us should the portal be successful, so I would prefer to err on the side of caution. If you can fight, please come prepared to do so. Also, we will certainly need hands to relay anything we might want to bring back. If you are Corrupted, however, I am afraid I must ask you not to be involved as a matter of safety and security. My apologies.

[ And, come late morning the following day, Joshua is there, umbrella in hand to protect himself from the sunlight. He has gathered boxes and crates for any potential recovery of items, should the portal work properly, as well as basic medical supplies just in case. Small bouquets of flowers are placed around the base of the portal, in what might be a startling abundance. Better to have more than needed than not enough. ]

Comments

[sticksandbonesmods]

He held himself to high standards. Perfection is a detestable trait, you know- a beautiful ideal that damages everything it touches. And a God- the God of Knowledge, the Lord of Civilization, Bringer of Liberty- had to be perfect, he thought. And then his worshipers held him to even higher standards than he held himself to.

When you are placed on a pedestal, you are isolated. To ask for help is to crumble the ground you stand on. To accept it is to break it further. To waver, to falter- and the higher it gets, the greater the fall.

He was going to die one way or another. He simply... chose the route that brought everything down with him.

The voice falters, and something- rustles, a bit, in the air.

It's... I- I suppose it is a matter of risk and reward. I do not know if it will help. I don't know if it can connect with him anymore, as an anchor or as empowerment. And if you use it to his face- he will be furious... ... if... he even remembers.

[kingincognito]

It's all too familiar. A fate that he, himself, may have suffered had Rosaria not fallen, had he been given the chance to grow and become the Archduke he was meant to be. The people had always looked to him as the Phoenix, and it had been such a weight on those young shoulders.

But Joshua simply nods, agreement and understanding swelling in his heart.

"He already hates us and strives to make our existence torturous. I am almost convinced that the potential reward outweighs the risk. But I will also not ask you to release the name if you are not comfortable in doing so."

[sticksandbonesmods]

Whatever the source of the voice is, its palpably nervous- the air feels almost tingly, and if there's any bibcoon attendants, they shuffle around in circles, tails curled around their feet.

And... if I were to say, that to tell you the name stripped of him would be the same as telling you my own...?

[kingincognito]

... aha. He'd wondered if that might be the case. Joshua smiles, unsure of where to look for a disembodied voice, and places his hand to his chest.

"Then, I would ask you if you would like a hug, perhaps? I've found they are quite comforting."

[sticksandbonesmods]

That... .... After everything you have endured? ... No, that makes sense.

... Mizuki almost found me out, once. But we were connected to my Whole-

If... you can find me in my library, then. Yes. A hug sounds very, very nice, actually.

[kingincognito]

"Then, I shall do my best to find you. I will spend as much time in this library as necessary."

And when Joshua says that, he means it.

"Before I do, however, may I bring these books with me? I wish to study them in depth, to familiarize myself with their stories."

[sticksandbonesmods]

Ah- those... ... You may bring them to the mortal realm, yes, but if any harm befalls them, they are enchanted to, uh. Retaliate? And I am the only one who may write in them now.

[kingincognito]

"Thank you. Thank you so much. I truly mean it. I will protect these books with my life, even if they are enchanted. I would rather no one need to experience this retaliation."

To punctuate this, he places his hand on his chest, bowing his head.

"By my honor as the Phoenix, you have my word."

[sticksandbonesmods]

You are my sister's chosen. I would be a fool to not trust you.

[kingincognito]

That makes him smile.

"I am glad, then. Now, for finding you... I don't suppose you would give me a hint? This library does seem quite large."

Not that he expects to get one. He fully plans on exploring every inch of this place regardless.

[sticksandbonesmods]

Oh, not from me, no. The attendants are who you want for that.

... That's his hint, indirectly. He sounds amused, though.

[kingincognito]

Challenge accepted, then. He laughs, softly.

"Then, I shall seek them out. And I will not stop until I have found you."

[sticksandbonesmods]

... Very well. I would say I wish you luck, but I'm not sure I can when this is the result of my own bashfulness.

I hope you do.

[kingincognito]

"Your agreement is far better than any wish of luck could be, my friend. Until I am able to find you, pray take care of yourself, and have faith in us."