2021-09-21: A Slight Sliver of Hope
- Log: A Slight Sliver of Hope
- Cast: Xenia, Fei Fong Wong
- Where: Halmetz - Root Pier
- Date: September 21, 2021
- Summary: Fei happens upon Xenia and utterly fails in his approach, so someone else decides to try...
==========================<* Halmetz - Root Pier *>=========================== The city of Halmetz is built within a great tree, easily the size of a city. This is one of the only living ones to remain, with a proud and majestic canopy visible for miles as ships sail up to it. The majority of Halmetz is built inside of that tree, but the exception is the harbor district. The harbor is built along a massive root that reaches out into the sea. The root acts as a pier, with a paved road on the top, and small offshoots act as smaller piers for a variety of boats. The harbor is busy, with a road leading into a hole cut into the tree. Some businesses are out here, including a few foundries and other businesses that produce too much smoke for the inside of the city. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wEIuPU3i2E
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
Cities within trees may be nothing new for anyone who's ever been to Guadosalam. But Halmetz has an entirely different vibe. Rather than the city and the trees being interwoven, the great tree of Halmetz is more like a protective shell for the surprisingly normal Filgaian city within. Sharing its island with no other major cities, it serves as both the main port and the most likely destination for all who visit here. Trade flourishes in its harbor, frequently sending or receiving various shipments from Kattelox and Guild Galad, among others.
It is certainly not unusual for it to be very busy, and filled with visitors from all walks of life. It's a little less likely to just happen to run into a familiar face here. Though in this case, it's not exactly the first time that this particular familiar face has been seen doing business with various traders all over Filgaia.
"You know this isn't what we agreed upon."
The voice of the black-cloaked woman standing outside of a metal-working shop would be immediately familiar. The fact that she's doing business here and not at something that sells food may be the most obvious tip-off as to which of the two known people who have that voice this is.
"Can't be helped, 'm afraid. Deal fell through on the other end. Rough seas, some of the shipment was lost, we didn't have all the rough materials for an order of this size. 'course you'll only be paying for what you're getting."
A buff man with a welding mask and copious scars on his bare arms shrugs helplessly as the woman sighs deeply, rubbing her forehead.
"...Fine. Too late now anyway. Ship's already sailed, literally. Take it. Keep the change, I don't care." She tosses a jingling cloth pouch to the man, who catches it with his right hand.
"Whoa, thank you kindly, ma--" "Save it." Raising a hand to stop any further discussion, the woman turns about, to briskly move further down the dockside. If her identity wasn't obvious already, the blue-tinted shades are the most clear identifier of the woman who goes by the name of Xenia, Xantia's supposed twin sister. As might be expected from her tone in the earlier exchange, she doesn't look very pleased.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
An important thing to remember about Fei is that he's both very unlucky and also kind of a dumbass but he does get weirdly lucky sometimes to counteract these elements of himself. It doesn't quite OUTWEIGH his usual bad fortune but it does mean he sometimes stumbles upon important events without really meaning to. Sure he HAS been looking for Xenia but he wasn't really expecting to bump into her.
The other important thing to remember is that Fei is kind of a dumbass so when he first hears 'You know this isn't what we agreed upon' and it SOUNDS like Xantia he, obviously, immediately thinks it's Xantia. Xantia sometimes acts strangely for Xantia too but she's still Xantia.
Fei was just walking through town looking for nice gifts to buy for the people he loves in his life too so he thinks this is an opportunity to ask what Xantia would like (besides food) ((besides memories)) (((besides answers))) only to see a lady in a black cloak!
Funny, Fei thinks, Xantia doesn't usually wear a cloak. She's usually wearing a red and black leotard with this cool cape thing that stays on somehow and boots with stars on them and--
Wait a minute.
As Xenia speaks more, he's starting to think maybe it ISN'T Xantia!
His eyes widen when he sees the shades and starts jogging after her. "Ah--wait! Hold on a sec...!"
He is willing to jump OVER people to keep line of sight on her.
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
Xenia, of course, also knows that voice. All things considered, one might expect her to run upon hearing it. The last time she encountered Fei wasn't exactly under the best circumstances. And being in this kind of mood, she would definitely prefer not to deal with this. For a moment, she freezes, and considers this. Considering her speed, she doesn't foresee any problems shaking him. But... she could do that at any time. She already feels stupid for this, but who knows... he might surprise her.
And so, Xenia slowly turns around. That's as accommodating as she's going to get. She won't bother hiding her exasperated expression, acting in any way other than she feels about this unplanned encounter, or holding back on the sarcasm.
"Oh, great, look who it is. Well, my day is made. I was just thinking that what this day really needed was more wastes of my time."
She crosses her arms, facing Fei, but scanning the surroundings with her eyes. Not seeing anyone else familiar right away, she questions, "Are you here alone? That's funny, I thought Wolves hunted in packs."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong Wong nearly runs into Xenia because he isn't expecting her to stop. He swings his arms back and manages to stop himself just before that hilarity ensues. It doesn't occur to him that crashing into Xenia would probably help keep her around.
"Oh. Uh. I wasn't actually expecting you to listen--"
I thought Wolves hunted in packs.
"Oh uh! I'm not here--I mean, I wasn't here looking for you. It just sort of happened... I'm actually here to--"
An idea comes upon his face and his eyes widen and a big dopey smile appears on his face. "Oh! You'd know, wouldn't you?" He shadowboxes the air a bit for no earthly explainable reason. "I'm here looking to get some nice gifts for my friends, you know? For like birthdays and holidays. We used to do that all the time back in Lahan, you know? And it's a nice thing to do. But I don't actually know..." He lowers his hands. "What Xantia's birthday is? You'd know right? When she came into being and all that?"
He beams. "So could you tell me? She'd probably be thrilled."
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
Crashing into Xenia may be a way to keep her around, but one would have to wonder if everything else would still be around. Even if she doesn't look to be in a fighting mood, if a fight did break out here, bystanders would almost certainly get hurt. Who knows whether that has anything to do with her apparent decision to not cause any trouble. As for listening...
"I always listen, Fei. It's everyone else who doesn't."
So he didn't even come here to specifically seek her out. Seems as if the pattern of her just being unlucky all the time is holding. When will she ever get one of those weirdly lucky breaks?
Certainly not today. She is unfazed by Fei punching the air for no reason, but she can only stare incredulously at the question he asks her. Of all the things he could ask her about. That's where his priorities lie?
No, she was right all along. She can't deal with this. She closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath. "...Right. I'm starting to see the value in not listening." Without responding at all, she just turns around and starts walking. "Goodbye, Fei."
Well... at least she's only walking. That makes it a lot more possible to keep pace with her than if she were actually trying to escape. This is just making it clear that there are limits to what she will humor.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"What!" Fei says. "What's wrong with that??" He walks after Xenia. "I'm not asking about anything that might spill some secrets or anything...!"
You don't understand, dumbass.
"What's that supposed to mean...?" He mutters back to his fellow mind-inmate.
Look, some people are too cool for that kind of shit. You can't just walk up to people who are living the edgey life and be a cupcake at them.
Fei frowns in deep thought at this. He takes in a deep breath and says, "Okay, you try it..."
There is a crackle of power around Fei as he closes his eyes. His hair detangles and shifts into a vibrant red color as his skin pales to a ghastly white. Yellowed eyes peer out from behind the Id mask as his clothes flash into his usual pilot suit.
Glowing with power, Id walks towards Xenia, grim purpose in his eyes, steady and calm.
"What's your birthday?" He asks, crossing his arms.
What the hell.
You got it stuck in my head this is your fault!
Id is still floating there like Akuma though, folding his arms.
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
"You don't understand," Xenia says at almost the exact same time. At least she left out the 'dumbass'. Instead, she adds, "Talk to me when you've figured out what's really important to ask. Of course, by then it'll probably be too late."
She misses Fei's following internal debate. But it's hard to miss a sudden shift in Ether concentration. In sudden alarm, Xenia leaps forward to create distance and whirls about, Ether flowing through her suit and creating a blue aura of power that shines through the dark fabric of her cloak. Her posture is not exactly a combat stance, but one which shows preparedness to deal with an attack.
"What the hell are you doing?!" she demands. She can't believe he's ready to fight over such a stupid question, in a place where others could easily be hurt. Already, people are scattering in alarm over what might be happening in a few moments.
But then she sees that she was mistaken. This just became much worse still. That isn't Fei anymore. Confronted by Id, even Xenia isn't capable of keeping her cool, looking quite distressed and stepping back as he draws near. "You... get away from me! Don't come any closer!" She doesn't do anything about it except without withdraw. She wouldn't dare to try and force the matter, that much is obvious. And then...
What's your birthday?
It takes Xenia a little longer than Fei to say it, barely able to process what's happening right now. "What the hell. Even you're asking that?!" Well, at least this seems to have helped her get over her fear, she's started yelling again.
"Why the hell is that so important? I don't know, alright?! Nobody ever cared about that before, and I never cared to ask! Why do you care?"
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Id extends a hand out towards some fleeing civilians, energy crackling out of his hand--
--they freeze.
Then he smirks and pulls his hand away. They take the cue to get out of here even faster. The energy dissipates quickly.
But he doesn't take back the question. Nor does he move any closer when he's told not to. It wouldn't make a difference either way. He could turn this place into a desert within minutes if he wanted to. Despite the bizarre question, that power is unmistakable.
"I will answer your questions." Id says.
"Why is it important? Because no matter what lab they grew you in, no matter what technology they poured into you against your will, regardless of whatever soft or hard control programming they put into you--you have the capacity to relate to others through means besides destruction. They may have you under their thumb now, but they won't forever because I am going to murder their country. If they are already dead, and some sort of nanomechanical ghost is behind this, then I will exorcise them. I am the father of nanotechnology of this world. If they have already reincarnated on this wheel I will find their future selves and burn them from this reality so completely that they'll never dare to be reborn again."
Id clenches his fist. "We may be the monsters they have made. But it is our life, not their tools."
"...As for why I care." Id says. "It is because if there is anyone I can relate to in this world, it is to the 'test subjects', the children forged by other children too incompetent and fearful to do their own dirty work, those are the people I could perhaps relate to outside of violence."
There is a clench of the fist as if Id is already distasteful of what he is admitting about himself. Nevertheless... "This is why Filgaia must burn," He mutters under his breath.
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
Xenia's response is difficult to read. She's clearly upset and distraught, but she either can't or won't express herself any better than that. She just stands there, sort of half-prepared for a fight, half-prepared to run at a moment's notice, nothing quite breaking the fight or flight stalemate. After all, this is Id. Given everything that Xenia has proven to know about, she surely realizes that in this situation, doing either may be pointless, depending on the whims of the Destroyer.
But whatever she may think about it, Id's response is clearly having an effect on her. Subtle cues like a weakening in muscle tension, brief aversion of the eyes, and a rippling of the Ether flowing through her. These words are causing doubts, of a different sort than a simple fight or flight instinct.
In the end... the blue glow underneath Xenia's cloak fades away, and she fully relaxes her stance. She's decided neither fight nor flight, but to simply face this.
"...So this is how an existence like yours perceives things. Well... that's helpful. I'm tired of being asked the wrong questions, the kinds of questions that I can't answer. If you've already decided what I am, that saves us a lot of time."
She looks down for a moment. She's not used to losing all initiative in a conversation, and is left uncertain how to proceed. All she arrives at is putting the ball back in Id's court.
"...So? What about Xantia? You should know that I'm right. That this will end in tragedy. If she'd only stop... if she could just be happy with what she has now... But, there's no way that she will. I did what I could. I don't have any options left. There's no way anyone will listen to me."
She hesitates in speaking further. But after a short pause, she does continue.
"...She'll listen to you. If you spoke to her the right way... I'm sure that, more than anyone else, you could convince her of anything. She's been waiting, you know...? I don't know why it's me you're showing yourself to, saying all these things... she needs reassurance more than I do. I can't be saved unless she is saved. So, if you want to do something for me, then... don't make her wait until it's too late."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Id places his hand to his forehead. "...Whether it's accurate or not doesn't really matter. It's close enough. The only way we'd know the actual details is if you shared them, but since you can't--well I know a bit of how that is too--then the only real solution is to go with a ballpark guesstimate of the situation. Junior is too young to really get all this techno-shit."
He says that but he also referred to it as 'techno-shit' despite the fact it could be bio-shit and all that but maybe Id doesn't really care about the particulars. There's always wrinkles that don't matter in the end. What matters is the abject cruelty that Filgaians face, fates worse than death, the rapid dehumanization and tearing away of rights that all living people SHOULD have...
...but thanks to the innate corruption within Filgaia's very fabric, its DNA...is ultimately doomed.
"Yeah. I know." Id admits. "Sometimes it works out for a while but..."
'She needs reassurance more than I do...'
But more importantly...
I can't be saved unless she is saved.
"......So in order to save her, I need to--reassure her properly huh?"
Id cups his chin thinking about that for a moment. It would destroy him, really. Might even kill her, but...
"...Why me?" He asks. "That I don't get at all. I might not have been as cruel to her as I could have been, but I'm certainly not the nicest either."
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
Xenia isn't about to argue on the matter of accuracy. She just nods at it being close enough, then nods again at the word 'techno-shit'. That works well enough as a catch-all from where she's standing. And she can't, or won't, speak on the overall state of Filgaia. If she's as stuck as she claims, chances are that it would be pointless for her to consider these things, as it stands.
Regardless, the main matter that she's always been concerned with is Xantia, it stands to reason that she'd be focused on her supposed twin sister above all else. She can only let out an unamused chuckle when Id asks 'why me'.
"Several reasons, but really, who else would? Just think about what Fei would do, or any of her friends, really. They won't even try to convince her. All they do is coddle her. They just tell her to think carefully and then support whatever she decides. Of course she's never going to change her mind that way. Maybe they think they're being kind, that it won't be so bad, that she'll get over it. They don't believe me when I say no, you absolutely can't let this happen. They'll believe their friend over me, that's natural."
She sighs deeply. That's some frustration she needed to get off her chest. "...But you're different. You know how these things go. And you don't feel like you have to be nice all the time, so you're more free in the way you can speak to her. She'd be able to understand the situation better when it's coming from you."
Turning in the direction of the ocean, she crosses her arms. "...But that's hardly the most important thing. Xantia feels that... the two of you are similar. Very similar. And that makes her feel close to you. Closer than anyone else." She turns her head to give Id a look. "Don't tell me you hadn't noticed?"
She turns back fully to Id. "You may think that Xantia doesn't understand you, couldn't possibly understand you. But she's been trying. And I think you may be surprised. So before you dismiss that out of hand, ask her to tell you what she's noticed about you, and see if you still don't get why you're the only one who can get through to her then."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"..." Id says, "It is not as if I haven't tried. The truth matters to her. And... Yes. I have noticed she has... felt close to me. But..."
He curls his hands into fists. There are certainly plenty of things that he can't say himself. He's already, frankly, said too much about it. Eventually he opens his hands back up.
"...We are similar. That's the problem." He says. "If we get too close... That's a problem."
He raises his head again. "And it is a problem if we are too similar too. Because the last thing this world needs is more demons."
He exhales out a sigh. "...But I suppose, between the two... Being too close to me is preferable to being too similar to me." He doesn't sound too happy about this but he seems to acknowledge this is pretty much a fact.
"I'll give it a shot," Id says. "Might just make her MORE inclined to chase after you and the answers though. Or at least you."
<Pose Tracker> Xenia has posed.
Xenia doesn't say anything about Id's assessment of the situation. She may not be able to gauge how similar Xantia and Id are. As much as she seems to know about people without ever having met them, it does stand to reason that there would be limits. And this in particular isn't exactly a simple matter.
She does smile, and makes a vague gesture of agreement when Id says the world doesn't need anymore demons. That's it, after all, the thing that she's been trying to tell people will happen, unless something drastically changes.
And, in the end, when Id agrees to give it a shot... she laughs. Full-blown, uninhibited laughter just overcomes her for a moment, before she's able to push it back down, waving a hand in apology. "After all this time... after all these failures to get someone to cooperate with anything I ask them..." She almost starts laughing again, but manages to suppress it this time. "I'd already given up, honestly. And now, of all people, it's the Demon of Elru giving me a slight sliver of hope? Who said the universe doesn't have a sense of humor?"
She takes a step back, and takes an elaborate bow. Presumably, an expression of her thanks, even if she doesn't say 'thank you' straight out. Instead, she responds to the possibility of things backfiring. "...Trust me, you can't make things worse for me than they already are. If anything changes from the way things appear to be heading, then it'll be an improvement."
Suddenly, her eyes go wide, and she points behind Id. "Hey, look behind you!"
Oldest trick in the book. And in her book, falling for it wins points. If Id doesn't, she'll shrug and give him a 'you could've played along' look, but that's the only difference between what will happen next: Xenia running off at the incredible speed she's known for, briefly trailing a streak of blue light behind her.
Sure, it wouldn't be impossible to follow, for someone like Id. And there aren't exactly many ways to depart from this island, she'd probably have to come back here at some point. But this is just about getting to leave on her own terms. If she needs to make a game out of it, Xenia wouldn't mind demonstrating how hard it is to actually catch up to someone whose Ether is this heavily focused around enhancing her speed, and just how long she can keep this up for.
There may be a bit of a childish streak present in both of the sisters.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
It's the Demon of Elru giving me a slight sliver of hope...
No, Id thinks, don't think that of me.... But he knows saying this is just going to encourage it.
Instead...Surprisingly...
Id totally falls for it. He looks behind him. "..."
Xenia runs off. "..."
"......"
".....Can't believe I fell for that."
It's painful enough he immediately reverts back to Fei.