hauntedking | [KENOS] IC Inbox

Not much, no. Although there was quite a deal of fighting.

[ He sighs softly. ]

It's been a long few days. I'm still taking stock.

God. Yeah. [ Matt wants to stay light about it, but the sense memories of burning hair and screams keep coming back. He knows he was lucky to get out with just some scrapes and bangs. ] Well ... if there's anything you need. Even just somebody to keep you company for a bit.

[ Pause.

Don't be a fucking wuss, Jamison. ]

I'd understand if I was the last person you wanted to see right now. I didn't choose the way I did because I approve of--any of that. But still.

...I hadn't realized you'd chosen at all.

[ There's a sort of long exhale from him. ]

This is a war now, Matt. And I don't want to have to fight you.

This is a war, [ Matt agrees, thoughts picking up speed, ] but I don't think the real front is Zenith and Meridian.

I mean. Yes, of course--there is that. But what about all this other stuff? All the shadows that that mage person--Aetos--said are new? The cabal that's running things behind the scenes?

We can't just weaken each other and let the dark finish us off.

Aetos... Aetos I wish I could deal with. I don't care for him. These shadows, this creeping sense of dread... but I also can't standby and let Zenith kill innocent people for their own gain. It's madness, Matt. Killing for their new world... and condemning so many others.

No, it's crazy, it absolutely is, [ Matt agrees swiftly. ] I'm trying to make up for it as much as I can, but I know there's ... just parts of it now that can't be fixed.

And I know Aetos isn't considered a very reliable narrator. I do have a fix for that, potentially. But I think we have to try to stick together, we have to try to--focus on fixing this problem with the shadows first. Even though I know a lot of people are doing everything they can to make that not seem feasible.

I mean. A guy showed me a dream the Tree gave him that something took over his body, and was just walking around wearing his skin. The other day I saw my big sister. She sounded just like her.

[ Matt's thoughts are scattered, each one a sharp piece of mosaic. But the sense through Communion is that he's got more examples, more points of data, and his problem is figuring out what to say first. ]

[ Dimitri takes a long, slow breath - something that echoes through the communion. A sense of trying to calm. ]

I know. I know there's something larger at stake. But they've decided to hurt people, Matt. They came into this city and unleashed monsters. Killers. I'm more than willing to work with people who won't do that, but Zenith has never wanted to negotiate or speak to us in good faith. I don't claim to know how truthful Cyrus and Yima are - were - when they spoke about how incompatible their goals were... but I do know that every time we've talked to Zenith, it's been represented by people who are not willing to work with us.

[ That manages to put a halt to his thoughts. Kind of a relief, actually. Matt really should try and write down everything he knows, so the knowledge will stop trying to rattle out in full every time someone seems halfway inclined to listen to him. ]

Yeah. [ Murmured. ] I know.

It's really effective, putting people at risk like that. Hell, it's why I harmonized. And it's so, so much easier to just break shit than keep it from falling apart, so the people who aren't acting in good faith are always gonna have the upper hand.

Just--

Whatever I can do to help in Springstar, I will. But I have to chase down these shadows. My current theory is, either they've erupted because of Zenith and Meridian, or this conflict is making them worse ... giving them a foothold they wouldn't have otherwise. And I think at least some Zenith-Meridian cooperation's gonna be necessary to get rid of them.

I want to stop whatever they are, too. I want all of this to end.

But I won't let this happen again, either. And I'll take whatever steps I need to tonmale sure of it.

[ Dimitri sounds determined, but also very weary. ]

If you find anything... I'm willing to be a line for you. Like I said, I want this to end... I want to solve this.

I understand.

Thank you.

[ Matt's not really surprised to hear Dimitri express such immovable conviction. It feels of a piece with what impressed him the first time they spoke--how totally devoted he was to the people of his world. ]

And seriously ... if I can help in Springstar, I will. Casting a spell to ward a whole city against attack would probably take me months, but at least I can do small things. And I can keep my ear to the ground for Zenith people who feel the same way I do.

I'll hope there are more than the alternative. Otherwise this war will be long and hard... harder than it already has been.

[ Dimitri doesn't sound hopeless, though. Just grim. ]

Be wary, Matt. There are those on both sides who would hurt you terribly for what you're going to do.

Long and hard, [ Matt agrees on a mental sigh, ] and ... again, whoever wins might just wind up shadow food for their trouble.

[ He pauses a moment to consider Dimitri's warning. Silco would definitely not approve of any pro-Meridian activities, it's true. And many on Meridian's side would likely rather shoot first and ask questions later.

As it were. ]

Oh ... thanks. I'll be careful. But don't worry about me, okay? [ With an attempt at whimsy: ] Have I mentioned I have magical powers? When I'm out in Springstar, I'm usually invisible.

You won't get in trouble for talking to me, will you?

You hadn't mentioned it, but I believe you.

[ Magic is, after all, common where he's from. There's a long pause at that question, though. ]

...if anyone wishes to make trouble with me about it, we will have a very frank discussion.

[ AKA they can try. ]

[ Matt's answering pause is much shorter by comparison: just long enough to process the remark. Then comes a spill of carbonated laughter, sparkling across their connection. ]

Oh you will? [ Maybe Matt just desperately needs something to find funny right now, but the euphemism is irresistible. ] That's a relief. I saw how frank you can get in Alenroux.

...did you?

[ He seems a touch amused himself. ]

Well, I'm glad to have your faith in me. I'll try not to let you down.

[ The impression of laughter lingers in Matt's psychic presence, only slowly feathering away. ]

And I'll ... try not to get in too much trouble while I'm still in town, so you don't have a reason to. Call all that a solid Plan B.

As solid a plan as any. Please do be careful...

Totally, [ Matt assures him. And then, after a pause to consider that maybe the stakes are a little bit higher than that, he adds, ] I promise.

[ There's another considering pause. Dimitri is treated to a hint of the wheels turning in Matt's brain, though exactly what he's thinking about isn't clear at first. ]

While I'm still here, I could make you something. A charm, I mean. I can enchant objects to do little things--give you restful sleep and pleasant dreams, make your memory sharper, make your emotions more, um ... resilient.

Now that I can use my magic again, the applications are pretty broad.

A... charm?

[ There's a little laugh. ]

Last time it ended up not going so well. [ There's no explanation for that, although the flicker of a scent - something medicinal, covered by perfume. ]

But... you're yourself. Someone new. And... you mean well. I'd be willing to accept a little token like that, if you think it's safe for you to stay here much longer.

[ Matt's mental landscape sharpens with concern at last time, and everything that follows. ]

I know ... you have no reason to trust me, really. [ Still, he tries to communicate a sense of his magic: the warmth, the right. The soft, forest scent of herbs in a sachet; nothing to hide, only the thing itself. A whirligig twirling gently, and bringing a sense of peace. ] And I don't know--if it doesn't work as advertised, I'll come back here and you can kick my ass.

[ matt you have to stop telling people they can do this ]

What would you want? Good sleep is one I suggest just because most people need it.

I don't think I'd say no to something to help me sleep.

[ Dimitri admits, with a feeling of wry amusement. ]

I still have nightmares from time to time.

[ You know, about, uh, stuff. ]

[ A gentle sigh in answer. Sympathetic, a little relieved. Matt likes to make himself useful, and he's grateful to make an offer and have it accepted. ]

Nightmares are hard. I get them too sometimes. [ Usually about the demon. Sometimes Vincent. ] Normally I'd counsel that our dreams are trying to tell us something, but if it's something where you feel like, you know, "message received" ... I think I could make something that helps with that.

Gimme an hour or so?

Of course.

If you need to know where to find me, let me know.

[ Matt wishes he had some nicer things to make charms with. Jewelry or something. He'd seen some pieces while he was out shopping, but all his Bearer stipend had gone towards the orphan project.

The good news is he has plenty of leftover herbs and other materials. About an hour later, he comes psychically knocking again: ]

Okay! Package is ready. Where should I deliver it?

I've a house in the city.

[ And with that comes a set of directions - or an address, depending. ]

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