expiationnet

[Depicted in the projection is a man dressed in dark robes, their open collar framed by a hood laid back. A mask shaped much like a bird's face -- an owl, perhaps -- rests upon the front, lustrous white marked by silvery designs wrought upon the lower portion and sides.

Less readily interpretable are his hair and eye color, though they seem bright, standing out from the darkness of his skin.]

To all those of us who have been displaced into this remote environs, I extend to you my greetings. I am Erichthonios.

...'Tis come to my attention that there are a number of little ones here. [Someone clearly saw that transmission about a club for teenagers not too long ago. While he himself is not a teenager, he feels it would be remiss of him to not acknowledge their presence... or lend them what aid he can.]

Though I know not from where you hail, or what magicks you have come to master, know that you are not alone, and that if you should find yourself struggling, there are others who will help... among which I count myself.

Naturally, I do have questions of my own... Questions to which I would seek the answers, if others would be willing to share their knowledge. But they need not be answered now. For the moment, I would like to hear of your concerns instead.

If you would share them with me, I would hear them.

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[Already does Erichthonios feel the creeping fingers of dread begin to close around his heart. But ever has he been one to push through even he most dreadful of subjects, valuing the truth above all else... no matter how comforting the lie offered may be.]

...I am listening.

I gleaned before that you knew little of what awaits us in the future, but it is disappointing to hear you've already been hurt by it.

[Not disappointment at Erichthonios, of course. At everyone else -- yet in a world like theirs, who could blame them for their skepticism? Elidibus is sure if he had been raised in a world so different, he would hardly have turned out the way he did.]

You may or may not have heard from Emet-Selch, but a calamity is set to befall our world, one unlike any we'd ever seen to that point. The laws of the star begin to warp, and in order to solve the problem, the Convocation ends up sacrificing half of the population to summon Zodiark. But, as you may be able to guess, some were not keen on this decision, and among their number was the woman who would become Hydaelyn, She who would serve as His shackles. And in order to do so, she sundered the star, and every soul upon it, into one and thirteen shards.

[He can't bring himself to say "yours among them, but not mine", not when the truth of the matter is that Zodiark stole from him the ability to even so much as remember who Erichthonios was to feel any grief over his death. He'd never have even recognized the name, had Lahabrea brought him up in passing...

Maybe he did, at some point, and it just didn't stick...? What a sad thought. Elidibus grimaces.]

Those of us who survived the Sundering set out to put things back together again. In total, we rejoined seven of the shards with the Source. But, Erichthonios... just know that it is not you who is flawed here. The people created from that ordeal are not like the ones you and I knew; their aether is thin, divided in fourteen as they are, and they are far more apt to lie and distrust others in equal measure. Even as their souls began to come together again, it did not change their core nature. And it is this same unkind world our friend hails from.

Keep in mind that this situation appears to only apply to our world, but based upon the state of other worlds I have heard represented here, I have to wonder if the Etheirys we knew was the bigger exception, rather than the sundered Source.

[It is... a lot to process, and Erichthonios has ever been one for whom such feats were done at a slower pace. He picks up on the core bits and pieces quickly enough... that others are born of unkind worlds and are thus quick to distrust, and of his friend's words of comfort to him.

But the Sundering... Was such a thing truly necessary? Why go to such a terrible extreme? Sacrificing half their number is horror enough, especially for Erichthonios, who has ever sought the path of saving lives. Was there truly no other way...?]

...I see...

[Lifting his own hand, Erichthonios presses it against his chest, as though to soothe the ache that has manifested there.

It does nothing to soothe the ache.]

So... this is why Emet-Selch described me as a man out of time... why he seemed so surprised when he looked upon me.

From his perspective, you are. And... mine as well, admittedly.

[If his knowledge of the future doesn't indicate he is from that future, that confession definitely does. He bows his head mournfully.]

I later learned that you kept vigil in Pandaemonium until the end, preoccupied as Lahabrea and I were with the summoning. It was an admirable thing to do... but I can think of naught else you would have done instead.

As for me, I was eventually chosen to be His heart. More than chosen, I volunteered for it. But though it led us down a lonely path through no fault of our own, I would do the same thing again if it were ever necessary.

...Then let us pray that it shall never again be necessary. It will hurt enough, to lose you once.

[Until the end... even for one as slow as Erichthonios, it does not take overlong to put everything together.

He was not one of the ones who survived. He shall have to take measures... Someone will need to watch over Pandaemonium, to ensure its creations do not escape into the wider world and wreak havoc upon an already-enervated star.]

I know.

[He must have said the same once before, too, he thinks, long ago when first explaining his decision to Erichthonios. This very discussion, held in future tense... one he cannot remember, and probably never will.]

But here and now, it need not be so. You're as alive as I -- which is perhaps to say we're running on borrowed time... but it is still time. Zodiark took much from me as the ages went by, and it was through circumstance alone that I happened to get some of it back. I do not wish to spend this newfound time and clarity mourning for the past, or for the future to come.

If that is your wish, I... have a request of my own.

[And it is a large one, he feels. Mayhap he would have never been so bold normally. But they are running on borrowed time.]

May we... spend that time together?

[Slowly, he comes to smile again. Erichthonios may think it large, but Themis had been thinking parallel to him in the first place.]

Of course, my friend. I would have it no other way. And should anyone give you such trouble again, you may come to me if you need it.

...You would have me sulk against your shoulder?

[It is a weak smile Erichthonios offers in return. Nevertheless, the seeds of happiness are within it.]

Have care. I may end up falling asleep like that.

I've a feeling you'd not be sulking any longer by the time your head hit my shoulder.

[A little jab back. He laughs, and it's a more sincere, open expression than usual.]

Of course, I meant if you desire mediation, as well. I am the Emissary.

[...Themis may have a point there. Erichthonios cannot see himself displeased for long in so close a proximity.]

So you are. But you are also my friend.

[His smile grows stronger, spirits buoyed by his affirmation of their bond.]

So... I think I shall rely on you first as my friend. And if matters should turn out to require it, then as Emissary.

[Now his smile turns into a full-fledged grin. He's proud of his position first and foremost, yes, but this particular friendship is also something he's proud of.]

As you wish. I will be there for you in whatever capacity you need.

[Said grin sends Erichthonios' heart all-too-easily aflutter. Themis seems happier, and that in turn makes Erichthonios happier.]

As shall I for you, my friend.

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