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[noasark]

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Comments

[noasark]

Hmmm.

It's a different tale from what I'm familiar with; rather than the Fog kept at bay, she was known as a mediator between the two according to the writings we've found for ourselves. As far as the Fog has confirmed, she seems to think this to be the case as well.

[And the Fog doesn't generally lie. ...Generally.

He wonders idly if she'd cross that line for something she's ashamed of.] The Day and Night gods were worshipped by opposing peoples- they went to war with another and forced their gods into those wars as well. The Fog, in turn, couldn't stop this...where we live now, this peninsula, is all that's left as a result.

After her sisters were gone, she razed most of the world to nothing.

Sorry for the delay. Btw my health and getting stuck on my reply, I couldn't catch a break )

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu listens in silence, raising his head slightly at the different picture of the gods set before him. He understands from his own world that gods are rarely seen in one manner in the world and that some versions of their story strays rather far from the truth; however, this perspective doesn’t make unraveling such truth easy on him. Still, there are similarities to examine. In both stories, the Day and Night gods disappear after a war, and more importantly, the Fog seems to be a victim of circumstances, yet in opposing manners, either from preserving the peace or — as he had — succumbing to rage and injustice. A part of Runyu’s psyche is relieved at the initial differences now shown between himself and Her. ]

That is a dramatic difference in her beginning. [ Runyu acknowledges aloud. ] I’m glad I decided to ask for more information. [ He taps his fingers on top of the menu before choosing a chicken salad and a lemon tea. ] Where do these writings come from? Is that something that you can tell me?

ooof, it's alright

[noasark]

Unfortunately not- a number of things come from visions directly from her- compared to visions the followers of the Fourth have also had, for points of accuracy. It isn't a hard rule of course, but it can generally be assumed that if those two agree on something, it's legitimate- enough that neither can ignore it.

[Noa places his own order- a simple fish dish, and a tea as well- and continues.] The tricky thing is that many of the old physical texts are guarded- a few had to be pried directly from Liewen's memories at that... [Or at least, he's assuming it was Liewen's. Perhaps technically they're Elias' to make use of, now.] Digging, is necessary.

The trouble for now is knowing where to dig.

It's interesting doing this thread with this particular event. Thank you for your patience :)

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu tilts his head, tapping his fingers along the table, as he listens to Noa explain the situation. Considering that the gods here deal directly with the humans, he expected some subterfuge when searching for the truth, but he hadn't predicted this complexity. What did the gods have to hide that they would make any truth about their history nearly impossible to complete? Was it the war? That would make sense, but if there was something to hide there, he wasn't in the best position to search for the pieces left behind. It would make these discussions more vital. ]

Interesting... Do you mind telling me more such as who Liewen is and why he would have many of the answers you know?

Np! It's definitely neat though yes haha

[noasark]

[What, indeed.]

The former Director of Liewen Labs, and its creator...and the father of Elias Liewen, the so called 'Fourth God'. He has- had these answers, because he needed it to turn his son into what we know now.

[....That's certainly reason enough.]

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu tries to mask his surprise and spike of rage at his conclusions to Noa's response, but it's futile. His hand clenches at the table. ]

He turned his son into a weapon against the Fog?!

[ The idea that someone can use their own child for that is sickening, even to him after all his parents put him through. ]

[noasark]

Yes.

[Noa, he'll note, seems to be sitting stiff with a very similar anger.] To that end he was the original power source of the network itself. Years ago.

[It's worse than merely a weapon, in many ways. Noa doesn't elaborate more however- partly because the details escape him. Partly because the similarities, even if his own father had intended things to be a desperate act of preservation, are too personal to bear.]

[fishfairy]

[ In another time, Runyu would have noticed the change in atmosphere and turned to another topic. When his wishes or worries didn't matter as much as another's comfort. However, even if the guarded emotion warrants caution, Runyu does not relent today.

Ignorance has led him to create even worse decisions.

Nonetheless, he tries to keep his question simple, tone, even. ]

What happened? Is that known?

[noasark]

Not beyond the basics; we know it happened. We know that the fourth needed to be released from wherever he was being held, and we know that Liewen senior vanished not long after.

[Having not seen the 'poor director' for himself, he's not going to go into detail on his place as replacement battery.] So no....all we know is that it happened, and that he's now here to make as much mess as he desires.

How he got there is pitiable, and abhorrent on the part of the culprit...but what he chose to do with his freedom...

[His silence speaks for itself.}

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu knows all too well that a child can’t remain blameless forever, even with the crimes that put him in that situation. Time weathers some evil but it won’t erase all, all the more so if the child persists down the same path. ]

I apologize. I know very little about the Fourth, except the event with Daniel and that he seems to take in children like him and that he is the enemy of the Fog. I believe I know more about the Fog than I do him. I will listen if you want to elaborate.

[ Runyu will seek out a Fourth follower as well, later on, a specific one if the only one he knows briefly is still on the island. Any answers he hopes to gain comes after listening to both sides -- and understanding any emotions afterwards. ]

[noasark]

[Noa shakes his head.] There's little to elaborate- what you know are examples enough. He's irresponsible, and seems to believe that the best thing for this place would be for him to usurp the Fog and maintain order with his own ideals.

Regardless of who winds up collateral.

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu swallows and glances down to his hand, the right one that should bear the only gift of his mother — that which he has yet to retrieve after the sacrifice and that which reminds him of his own sinful actions. From a time when he had lost sight of what is right and what is abhorrent. When he had marked others as victims for his ideals . The memories, in this place, when compared to the Fourth’s creation, dredge up his guilt and shame. However, Runyu can’t displace his pity, a well of understanding, either.

How ironic that he would be tossed in a realm where he can choose to empathize with both gods and their fractions.

Runyu lifts his glass for a drink, pausing a moment before sipping.

Regretting the lack of a strong wine for this introspection. ]

This may seem rude of me to ask, and I beg your pardon if I lack tact in this matter, but to the Fog, isn’t he but a lost child? How is he a threat to Her?

[noasark]

It's fine, [he replies. After all it's a fair question.] I'm sure you're not the first to wonder, after all- and I can't blame you either.

Truthfully, if I could personally see a way to disarm him safely, I would probably consider it... ...but I can't. As for the Fog- she sees him as a host of something that's hers, and she wants it back. It's as simple as that.

He's not a threat- as you say, he is a 'lost child'. But he's a lost 'human' child, and one who exists as a reservoir of her stolen power on top of that.

Here comes a tag. Thank you for waiting :)

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu nods quietly. He understands. To the Fog, the Fourth is nothing but a mortal in her way. One with too much power. One not following the rules set for him. He may have powers now, hers even, but he’s a fly. Nothing more.

Less than a pawn.

Runyu leans forward and sighs.

He never wanted to be pulled into another battle like this again, one that tears at too many wounds with or without the monthly nightmares. One that reminds him too vividly of a past he’s tried too long to hide from and that nearly destroyed his realm.

But he realizes that his silence is rude and folds his hands before him in an apology. ]

Forgive me. Some details of what we’ve spoken are, more or less, what I expected, but other portions are difficult to swallow. Please excuse my silence. ( He pauses again. ) Would it be rude to ask you why you choose to follow her?

np!

[noasark]

Hmm?

[The silence, he used for coffee. To sip in silence, to quietly watch some cats. He blinks as he ponders the question, and stares out again.]

...It was unintended to start. ...They were more aggressive in their recruitment initially. But ultimately I remained for balance. At the end of the day, vindictive as she is, she is the one thing keeping balance here; there is nowhere else for humanity to go beyond this peninsula, and there are still people remaining that could otherwise try and simply die out doing so.

...from there, even if I recognize that her form of caring is flawed, she at least cares.

Another reply at snail's speed -sorry my health is a mess these past few months )

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu's eyes flicker with something unnameable at using such a word for the Fog God. ]

How so? ( He asks, voice catching a little in his throat. ) I suppose as her children those that arrive are no longer mortals but we are not gods like her.

[ This is another difficult perspective to understand from his experiences. ]

[noasark]

Fair enough. [It's a complicated emotion.]

The best way to put it is she generalizes- all humans here are as responsible for her pain as those in the past, as far as she's concerned.

Now, from there, we represent the method of torment. Whether we want to or not, we have to feed on those humans. Nothing we can do changes it, nothing we say changes it.

[He sips his drink, and after a moment, tilts his head.] Have you ever had a horse, or a pet of some kind? Some working animal that you kept close?

[It goes unsaid from there. The care is 'genuine', but in the end, 'pets' are replaceable to a point.]

[fishfairy]

One, perhaps, but I'm not sure you could call the Beast of Dreams a pet. He is a magical creature who came to me because we shared immortal duties. ( He turns his gaze to the cats around them, and one mews at him. He laughs shortly. Even their antics can't distract him. Why make that comparison? Don't mortals adore their animal companions? They're not... using them...

[ Runyu falls silent again, wondering if he should apologize for saying such, but Noa seems willing to listen to other views. Perhaps he doesn't have to be as cautious. He waits instead. ]

[noasark]

Hmm. Probably not, no. But you're right.

We do- but how easy is it to push that? How easy is it to brush them off, even? Your cat scratches your arm, and it's just playing. In the end it's inconsequential. You have the cat there for your company, and you love them, but a cat is still a cat. A cat will act a certain way, do things a certain way.

A monster here, is made with one purpose; in her eyes, we're her children, her pets, and nothing we say or complain over will amount to anything more than a cat's grumbles about not getting treats. She 'loves' us, but she doesn't love our opinions.

Not unless they line with hers.

[He's long accepted that.]

Sorry for hiatus again - almost done now - you're wonderful:) (CW: child abuse)

[fishfairy]

[ Runyu turns his head aside at that explanation, a phantom tang of blood filling his mouth. It brings the Empress and her 'caring' for his brother Xufeng to mind. Her utter disregard for others, especially himself. She pretended to care for Runyu even after punishing him for appearing better than Xufeng for an instant. She feigned being his mother for centuries. But she wouldn't grant him one thing, one small favor that would rid her of him forever, when he stood up to her. When it all came crashing down.

He pinches the bridge of his nose, a small burst of pain returning him to the present.

The Fog owes no familial bond with him. She owes him nothing. She is a god but he is no longer of the same ilk. Or linked in the same way. This is not the purpose of this engagement with Noa.

He sips his drink once more, gathering his thoughts.

Is that enough for you? The fact that she is the 'balance' to this world and she acknowledges your general existence but nothing more? Does that give you enough reason to follow her at this point?

[ His voice remains hoarse. There's nothing to be done for that. This is too personal. It always was going to be. ]

[noasark]

[Initially, Noa doesn't answer any questions. He sips his coffee, eyes closed half a moment before he looks back.]

...Do you need a moment? [he asks, staring perhaps knowingly.] ...You seem to be having a headache.

[But it passes. All things pass ultimately, and once he has the go-ahead he does just that.]

...At this point it's primarily the proof that she's doing her job. I know she doesn't expect me to do anything in her favor; as well, whether she took part in the problem to begin with or not, she's now the only thing keeping this area from ruin. Beyond these mountains? There's nothing.

It's a barren, lifeless wasteland.

For that matter, [Noa adds,] I would not be alive if I wasn't here. It might not be her specific choice...but it was something allowed by her hand all the same.

[fishfairy]

[ As Noa describes the results of the confrontation, Runyu barely stays another reaction, clenching his hand in lieu of flinching. For a moment, he is back in his realm, in the cold, colorless, lifeless abode of his atonement. What remains of the heavenly realm after his attempt to end the hypocrisy and failing due to the golden pride in his blood. At least, he didn't destroy all of creation. Life moved on without him. Here, it seems the Fog wasn't so lucky.

A twinge of sympathy passes as Noa turns to a personal note, that of not being alive without her.

It reminds him of his friend, Xingchen's position. ]

Yes, I know that some are saved from death by coming here. A second chance is a gift, even if that chance comes with chaos and inevitable pain.

[noasark]

If you're worried about what I think that means for others, it's no obligation, [Noa points out.] For me, it feels like something I should personally be on call to fight for. To a point, [he adds with narrowing eyes.]

If she ever asked something far beyond my morals- more than what we're already forced into- it would be another story.

[fishfairy]

[ Those words calmed some of the turmoil choking his throat and he managed a shaky smile. ]

I'm glad that your service to her hasn't come to that. ( He takes another bite of his salad, nearly finishing it. ) And I was right to ask these questions of you. There's much for me to ponder next time I am alone with the stars. Before we finish this meal, is there anything you wish to ask me?

[noasark]

Hmmmm...

[Noa mostly nods in agreement with the other's words, and ultimately shakes his head at the very end.] ...No, I don't think so...well. I suppose my only question will be if this helped as much as you hoped...but that's all.