[ Now this is an unexpected voice in her head. It causes her to stop what she's doing as she tries to muffle the mild alarm she feels before it can reach Set. She really hasn't done anything to be guilty of; she just knows of Set as something of a loose cannon.
Regardless of what's transpired between them, she could never be so rude as to leave him hanging, so she dutifully replies. ]
I remember.
[ Something about unleashing a weapon on Highstorm. A trickle of unease accompanies the thought, but she tamps that down too. ]
[ His tone is calm, but she is right. Set is a bit of a loose cannon. Brilliant and deadly, and commonly moving ahead heedless of the more diplomatic-minded individuals. Gray is, not someone he knows well. She is a danger, in that regard. She might even be detrimental, to Meridian's movements, if he cannot take stock of her. ]
Some have made their — displeasure — known. They do not believe we should retaliate against "Highstorm's innocents", even though Zenith has enticed Kowloon into slaughtering our own. Even turned people who relied on us in Alenroux against our efforts, made them ungrateful and hostile despite their never having shown any consideration or care to them before then. Before we asked them and demanded it of them.
[ He asks a sharp, cruel question. Perhaps an unfair one, but he has never blunted his fangs. ]
I want to know. With Zenith's acts tallied up: do you believe our people's lives are lesser than theirs?
[ Gray's opinion is jumbled. It's a moment before she can arrange her thoughts into order, putting aside her simple confusion over why he cares about her meager opinion.
Though Set's question is aggressive, Gray's answer is calm, measured by a modesty of thought that her opinion won't change anything anyway. ]
I understand why you're angry, but I also understand why people don't want to cause destruction in Highstorm. I don't want any of the civilians to be hurt if it can be helped. But I also know that things are only getting uglier between the two cities.
[ In other words, she's being true to her name, feeling neither black nor white on the matter. She gets the need for action, but if she were on board with wanton destruction, she would have offered up Rhongomyniad long ago; now more than ever, she's glad she's kept the Holy Lance close to her vest. ]
If you were to use a large-scale weapon on Highstorm... wouldn't Highstorm want to use an even larger weapon on Springstar?
[ A larger weapon? As far as he is aware, Kenos can't support that kind of technology. The one he is crafting is the result of paring down his ornate wishes and designs to suit the degree of weaponry-and-magic available to them. Only one individual might be able to counter with a weapon design of their own, and without being told to do it by Yima, Amos Burton will never. He's never going to have an original desire or thought that was not fed to him like ripe grapes, like a doting owner feeding their pet under the table. ]
The time I have spent, the experience and power of the individuals involved and the unique labors I have undergone are why this even exists in the first place. Highstorm, and their Shard-bearers, could never imitate it nor improve upon it. And because I am who I am, I would take care to monitor for it. So, let me reassure you — this will not become an arms race between cities and Factions. This will be a retaliatory blow, and not an opening one. An answer to whatever action they take to hurt us.
Unfortunately, the reality of war is that people will get hurt. Ensuring a just war is the most difficult of positions, and one that I take fairly seriously — even if I do speak of hurting, even killing, innocents.
[ He tips his head, and murmurs. ]
I must judge the number and importance of the lives I take here, against the number and importance of lives waiting for me to restore them. As the god of war, I am not blind to what a life, what a soul, weighs.
[ She listens to his certainty which is well beyond arrogance, the divine privilege that enabled him to attack her when they first met despite being on the same side. He can't help being who he is: powerful, warlike, and accustomed to having weight in the world. His personality is such that she feels that talking to him is useless, she being a mere country mouse of a human with a heart too tender for hard decisions.
If Set says that he only intends for the weapon to be a countermeasure, she can only hope that he'll stay true to that. But it's difficult to put too much trust in someone who came out of the gate betraying her, even if he didn't see it that way. And despite his reassurances, she isn't convinced that this weapon will be the final say. ]
Even if they aren't able to make one large weapon, they can make a thousand smaller ones. And it won't be us Shard-Bearers who have to bear the price.
[ Indeed, the weight of a soul can't be taken lightly. It worries her that Set would feel justified sacrificing a "few" for the sake of many, however responsible he might feel about it. Gray is, admittedly, a bit sensitive about the idea of people sacrificing other people without their consent. ]
Mr. Set... Zenith is waging a war of politics. If you're determined to make use of this weapon, I hope you'll also consider it as a political tool before a destructive tool.
[ Gray is no politician, but she spent a fair amount of time immersed in a cutthroat den of politics when she was in London. She feels she can at least try to offer that different perspective. ]
[ Gray is such a good girl, and Set is the WORST ]
They already did that, Miss Gray. Kowloon's violent bid for autonomy below our feet, is Zenith's thousand smaller weapons. They have already opened the development of the war on the innocents, without remorse. For have you not heard the words of their most prominent and trusted? "As long as something good comes of it, anything is permissible," to paraphrase Amos Burton.
[ People die. Unfortunate, but true. He is a god of war, who has long been made to hold the weight of a slaughtered life in one hand and necessary evil in the other; moving him is difficult, but by the way his edges blur and the desert's heat dwindles, as if caught in the twilight of the day, he is not not listening to Gray. It's different, talking to her outside of an Oracle battle. Different, because he's not aiming to defeat anyone who crosses him, anyone who could bolster his power and thus, Meridian's.
She is gentle. He can see why she is readily beloved. ]
A political tool. [ And he does, for a moment, seem to come to some idea with that. A little smile, sharp but appreciative of her, crosses his face before he settles again. Quieter, and attentive to her words as best as a god can be. ]
If I were to tell you that my target was not the people and never had been, would you at least refrain from betraying Meridian about this? I want to rattle the foundation of their faith. Attacking their people is not how to accomplish that, no matter what people assume of what I represent as a god.
[ Gray rarely engages in ideological fencing, and she doesn't intend to start now. Set clearly believes that his weapon is necessary, and he will see it to fruition if he hasn't already; there's no point in trying to argue its existence back into kernels of imagination.
But she can at least say with straight honesty and a little bewilderment, ]
Betray...? No, of course I wouldn't.
[ She wouldn't betray Meridian. Not "she wouldn't refrain from betraying Meridian." Language can get in the way so much. Moreover, should she be offended that he would even ask? Imagine Gray being offended about anything. ]
If you could keep your target that precise, then I would feel better, but, um... pardon my asking, but why are you telling me all this?
[ She isn't technologically proficient like Nebula or an amazing sorceress like Akua, so she isn't sure why Set is scoping her out in relation to his weapon. She continues to be surprised that he hasn't grown bored of her yet. ]
I am doing all that I can to ensure it. Destruction takes more forms than physical, after all. My aunt taught me that.
[ Sekhmet was a HUGE fan of shattering people's minds, after all. She'd utterly eviscerated Set long, long ago. Since she was gone for now, it was up to him to embody her will and domain to the fullest. A weapon of war that doubled as a psychological statement was, to him, the best way to combine the two of them into one blow.
As to the last question... ] I suppose, because everyone likes you. You embody Meridian's will without compromising your kindness. I want to see what you will do, next.
[ It's a bit funny to hear him refer to his "aunt," which inspires the mental image of a homely little lady in Gray's mind. She's sure the reality is anything but. She might have to see if the libraries have any books on Egyptian mythology after this...
As for Set's answer, Gray is taken aback, and it manifests in a little reel of surprise through their connection. It feels like a bit of an overstatement to say that everyone likes her... and she finds the Shard-Bearers of Meridian quite kind on average, so it isn't like she's anything special in that regard. (Such is her self-esteem.) ]
I'm afraid kindness won't have much to do with anything soon. Kindness won't win us the Oracles, and it won't protect the people I care about.
[ What he calls kindness, she thinks of as softness, is something she struggles with often when it comes to fighting other Shard-Bearers. A weakness, not something to be interested in. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
HELLO SORRY MY COMPUTER DIED
Date: 2024-01-30 01:22 am (UTC)Regardless of what's transpired between them, she could never be so rude as to leave him hanging, so she dutifully replies. ]
I remember.
[ Something about unleashing a weapon on Highstorm. A trickle of unease accompanies the thought, but she tamps that down too. ]
How can I help you?
HOW DARE IT????
Date: 2024-01-30 01:33 am (UTC)[ His tone is calm, but she is right. Set is a bit of a loose cannon. Brilliant and deadly, and commonly moving ahead heedless of the more diplomatic-minded individuals. Gray is, not someone he knows well. She is a danger, in that regard. She might even be detrimental, to Meridian's movements, if he cannot take stock of her. ]
Some have made their — displeasure — known. They do not believe we should retaliate against "Highstorm's innocents", even though Zenith has enticed Kowloon into slaughtering our own. Even turned people who relied on us in Alenroux against our efforts, made them ungrateful and hostile despite their never having shown any consideration or care to them before then. Before we asked them and demanded it of them.
[ He asks a sharp, cruel question. Perhaps an unfair one, but he has never blunted his fangs. ]
I want to know. With Zenith's acts tallied up: do you believe our people's lives are lesser than theirs?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-30 02:28 am (UTC)Though Set's question is aggressive, Gray's answer is calm, measured by a modesty of thought that her opinion won't change anything anyway. ]
I understand why you're angry, but I also understand why people don't want to cause destruction in Highstorm. I don't want any of the civilians to be hurt if it can be helped. But I also know that things are only getting uglier between the two cities.
[ In other words, she's being true to her name, feeling neither black nor white on the matter. She gets the need for action, but if she were on board with wanton destruction, she would have offered up Rhongomyniad long ago; now more than ever, she's glad she's kept the Holy Lance close to her vest. ]
If you were to use a large-scale weapon on Highstorm... wouldn't Highstorm want to use an even larger weapon on Springstar?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-30 07:57 pm (UTC)[ A larger weapon? As far as he is aware, Kenos can't support that kind of technology. The one he is crafting is the result of paring down his ornate wishes and designs to suit the degree of weaponry-and-magic available to them. Only one individual might be able to counter with a weapon design of their own, and without being told to do it by Yima, Amos Burton will never. He's never going to have an original desire or thought that was not fed to him like ripe grapes, like a doting owner feeding their pet under the table. ]
The time I have spent, the experience and power of the individuals involved and the unique labors I have undergone are why this even exists in the first place. Highstorm, and their Shard-bearers, could never imitate it nor improve upon it. And because I am who I am, I would take care to monitor for it. So, let me reassure you — this will not become an arms race between cities and Factions. This will be a retaliatory blow, and not an opening one. An answer to whatever action they take to hurt us.
2/2 :>
Date: 2024-01-30 08:54 pm (UTC)[ He tips his head, and murmurs. ]
I must judge the number and importance of the lives I take here, against the number and importance of lives waiting for me to restore them. As the god of war, I am not blind to what a life, what a soul, weighs.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 07:56 am (UTC)If Set says that he only intends for the weapon to be a countermeasure, she can only hope that he'll stay true to that. But it's difficult to put too much trust in someone who came out of the gate betraying her, even if he didn't see it that way. And despite his reassurances, she isn't convinced that this weapon will be the final say. ]
Even if they aren't able to make one large weapon, they can make a thousand smaller ones. And it won't be us Shard-Bearers who have to bear the price.
[ Indeed, the weight of a soul can't be taken lightly. It worries her that Set would feel justified sacrificing a "few" for the sake of many, however responsible he might feel about it. Gray is, admittedly, a bit sensitive about the idea of people sacrificing other people without their consent. ]
Mr. Set... Zenith is waging a war of politics. If you're determined to make use of this weapon, I hope you'll also consider it as a political tool before a destructive tool.
[ Gray is no politician, but she spent a fair amount of time immersed in a cutthroat den of politics when she was in London. She feels she can at least try to offer that different perspective. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 04:07 pm (UTC)They already did that, Miss Gray. Kowloon's violent bid for autonomy below our feet, is Zenith's thousand smaller weapons. They have already opened the development of the war on the innocents, without remorse. For have you not heard the words of their most prominent and trusted? "As long as something good comes of it, anything is permissible," to paraphrase Amos Burton.
[ People die. Unfortunate, but true. He is a god of war, who has long been made to hold the weight of a slaughtered life in one hand and necessary evil in the other; moving him is difficult, but by the way his edges blur and the desert's heat dwindles, as if caught in the twilight of the day, he is not not listening to Gray. It's different, talking to her outside of an Oracle battle. Different, because he's not aiming to defeat anyone who crosses him, anyone who could bolster his power and thus, Meridian's.
She is gentle. He can see why she is readily beloved. ]
A political tool. [ And he does, for a moment, seem to come to some idea with that. A little smile, sharp but appreciative of her, crosses his face before he settles again. Quieter, and attentive to her words as best as a god can be. ]
If I were to tell you that my target was not the people and never had been, would you at least refrain from betraying Meridian about this? I want to rattle the foundation of their faith. Attacking their people is not how to accomplish that, no matter what people assume of what I represent as a god.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-01 08:22 am (UTC)But she can at least say with straight honesty and a little bewilderment, ]
Betray...? No, of course I wouldn't.
[ She wouldn't betray Meridian. Not "she wouldn't refrain from betraying Meridian." Language can get in the way so much. Moreover, should she be offended that he would even ask? Imagine Gray being offended about anything. ]
If you could keep your target that precise, then I would feel better, but, um... pardon my asking, but why are you telling me all this?
[ She isn't technologically proficient like Nebula or an amazing sorceress like Akua, so she isn't sure why Set is scoping her out in relation to his weapon. She continues to be surprised that he hasn't grown bored of her yet. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-08 11:46 pm (UTC)I am doing all that I can to ensure it. Destruction takes more forms than physical, after all. My aunt taught me that.
[ Sekhmet was a HUGE fan of shattering people's minds, after all. She'd utterly eviscerated Set long, long ago. Since she was gone for now, it was up to him to embody her will and domain to the fullest. A weapon of war that doubled as a psychological statement was, to him, the best way to combine the two of them into one blow.
As to the last question... ] I suppose, because everyone likes you. You embody Meridian's will without compromising your kindness. I want to see what you will do, next.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-13 12:59 am (UTC)As for Set's answer, Gray is taken aback, and it manifests in a little reel of surprise through their connection. It feels like a bit of an overstatement to say that everyone likes her... and she finds the Shard-Bearers of Meridian quite kind on average, so it isn't like she's anything special in that regard. (Such is her self-esteem.) ]
I'm afraid kindness won't have much to do with anything soon. Kindness won't win us the Oracles, and it won't protect the people I care about.
[ What he calls kindness, she thinks of as softness, is something she struggles with often when it comes to fighting other Shard-Bearers. A weakness, not something to be interested in. ]