KENOS INBOX

[erbe]

COMMUNION

Reaching out to Rin is like stepping into a moonlit parlor. Everything is quiet, muted, and neatly tucked away. Almost like a "lobby," of sorts to keep visitors away from the rest of what goes on in her head... and her heart. This space is cool, and placid. Much like the surface of a lake in winter as it reflects the pale glow of the celestial bodies hanging above it in the sky.

A reflection of serenity rather the true thing. A mask of elegance to hide anything that may be unsightly. Anything that may betray her.

✧ Specifics

✦ Unable to block out: Harbinger
✦ Compatible with: Iconoclast | Advocate
✦ Discord Accrual: Exalt

(CODE)

Comments

[erbe]

I make no promises to answer, but feel free to question.

[In fact as a mage it's her inclination to tell everyone to question what is around them.]

[hauntedking]

...why give me the gift in the first place? Did you truly feel grateful for my help or was that also an act?

1/?

[erbe]

[ FUCK ]

[erbe]

[HOW COULD SHE FORGET ABOUT THAT?! HOW?! AFTER ALL OF WHAT SHE HEARD! AFTER ALL OF WHAT HAPPENED!!!!]

[erbe]

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!!!!!]

done

[erbe]

[And then, almost like flipping a light switch, the panicked frustration that leaked through their communion disappears. Gone in an instant and replaced with tired guilt.]

Both. The shield was true, but... it also was a spying device.

[hauntedking]

I... see.

[ There's a flare of disappointment. Sadness, even. But also a hint of resignation. The anger over her perceived betrayal burned out in that dingy chamber. ]

I don't know why you felt the need, but I suppose I do understand wanting to gain an advantage.

[ Another sigh. He's... very tired. ]

[erbe]

I wasn't lying when I said someone like me always needs any advantage she can get. If you want I can dispose of it for you if you return it to me. Otherwise toss it or get someone else in Meridian who knows enough magic to dismantle it.

[hauntedking]

I... think I'd prefer to keep it.

[ For various reasons. ]

But I'll find someone to take a look at it.

[erbe]

Hm... have you learned anything? Will you continue to blindly accept people the way you did with me?

[hauntedking]

Trusting people is no vice. Especially when they have given you no reason to distrust them.

[ He sighs. ]

And I still wish you would have trusted me. To go through life treating everyone I meet as a potential enemy... that seems such a distressing way to experience life.

[ He has a bit of an experience with that. ]

I spent too much of my time hating everyone, despising them, angry with the world and myself.

[erbe]

You don't have to hate everyone to justify protecting youself.

[hauntedking]

Don't you? To be suspicious of everyone you meet, fearing that they will harm you if given half an opportunity...

I don't want to do that.

[erbe]

No. Something must be wrong with you to equate a lack of trust to be on the same scale as hate.

[hauntedking]

[ There's a ripple - a bitter laugh, almost. ]

...perhaps. I have not known peace since I was a child.

[ He's lost a lot. ]

[erbe]

Well, you should probably fix that.

[hauntedking]

Believe me, it has been a long road.

[ He's working on himself, OK? ]

...what makes you distrust so easily?

[erbe]

Mages are raised that way. Though we should all be focusing on our studies the draw of money and power results in petty in-fighting. Any person could be an enemy, or a puppet of one.

[hauntedking]

That sounds... bleak.

[ Dimitri disapproves. Although he can't say his experience of being royalty has been that much different. ]

[erbe]

It's not a life everyone can, or should, handle. Which is why magecraft is kept secret for the most part.

[hauntedking]

Interesting. Magic is an open field of study in my own world, but... I suppose it's very different from your own.

[erbe]

I'm sure it'd be quite different if magic was the only way to gain power in your world.

[hauntedking]

People clawing for power really is the same everywhere, isn't it?

[erbe]

Of course it is.

[hauntedking]

Then we have to protect those we can. There's no other alternative.