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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 26, 2017 12:48:48 GMT
The shift in energies around a portion of sonlas had not gone unnoticed no matter how remote the location in which they had occurred.
The stars, the ones which had not been gradually swallowed up by the darkness of the void were clear, the ones he had set to tell of the future were clear in the message of their shifting. There were going to be changes, though the nature of the effects of those changes remained ambiguously unclear.
The shift in energies was interfering with his job after. He needed knowledge that was more clear than the stars. Things which before had bent to his lightest touch were shifting outside of his influence, so he had to take a close look, instead of being holed up in his observatory on earth, or spreading into outer space to look more closely at what the cosmic dance had to tell.
He grew large enough that he could traverse the continent in one step. His physical consistency only solid to entities who matched his size, guaranteed that he crush nothing as he took the necessary step onto the small island which was still under eokian jurisdiction.
Foreign energies tingled against his skin like cold evaporating water as he shrunk himself down and took humanoid form, a tall skinny man, with pupiless eyes and high cheekbones. His hair was more like black tentacles, thick boneless organs running to the middle of his back rather than thin dead strands. His skin was extremely pale but the robes be wore from his neck to the the ground were velvety black with hints of deep color where the light struck right. Pastel beads hung off his collar, standing out against the dark background like patterns of stars.
As he continued to walk at a human pace into the altered grounds, the tingling increased and remained. It was he determined, exactly like walking through a rift to a foreign universe, a universe with different rules than this one.
It couldn't be allowed to spread. He was fine but he sensed clear detrimental potential to beings not calibrated to this place. The physiology of the land itself had changed too much.
He didn't think that he'd go unnoticed. Though his presence felt extremely mundane to mortal beings, his metaphysical frequency too high for them to sense, a force who could cause this much change was surely too well attuned to cosmic forces to not realize that they finally had a visitor.
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Post by shinzo on Sept 26, 2017 16:42:46 GMT
As I work on calling forth the strands of fate into threads that could form the Loom, a rather obvious disturbance pressure thrums those strands as another presence makes itself known. Funny. That wasn't in the skeins of fate as I'd been able to judge them. Perhaps I'd simply misread them, after all, they were quite different than what I was used to molding and shaping. That combined with the fact that there was no Loom for me to read against and the fact that I was forced to work with causality strands at best meant that my ability to tell where the future was supposed to be before the intervention of those outside Fate was highly limited. There was also the other possibility, of course, that this intruder...or rightful owner, given the fact that Kishar sort of just seemed to just set up here without any real concern for other people's possible claims to the land, was a being outside Fate, not subject to the purview of the causality system of this world. I hoped that wasn't the case. Beings outside Fate tended to be such troublesome existences that just caused havoc for everything else. Still, the best way was to go and check it out.
Walking outside, I don't trouble himself with activating any preparatory charms or forms. While they might be helpful should hostilities break out, I'd really rather spend the willpower on more important things than this...though I held the Elder Sutra of the Charcoal March of Spiders at the ready should it prove necessary. I wasn't looking for a fight, I had work to do, after all, a fight could eventually prove necessary. And while I definitely preferred the elegance of the Prismatic Arrangement for my primary fighting style, Charcoal March was more...immediately effective in a fight. And that's what this would likely be, a conversation that hopefully escalates no further, but that I would be willing to end should that prove necessary. I ponder talking to Kishar about it, but I decide against it. Likely she had her own means of detection, and, frankly, the longer her interference in a delicate matter like this could be delayed, the better. Still, she'd doubtlessly make an appearance at some point...that was just like her, and likely necessary to show just what was going on here.
As I walk away from the manse, he sees a tall, skinny man standing there, observing the situation. "Heya!" I call, waving my hand eagerly in the air. I run out to meet him, deliberately seeming to act human as I spend a bit of my essence on a simple trick of those who called themselves Fate's Guardian. My presence seemed to diminish and I seemed harmless and without any threat. Such things were important when dealing with people that didn't respond well to intimidation, which was more often than not and something that would make itself known. Panting a bit in mock exhaustion as I make it out to him, I grin. "Heya! I...we weren't expecting any visitors. Can I show you inside? I'll get some tea going! Ah, but things just aren't prepared to receive guests, it would be scandalous...hrm..." I sigh, in expertly portrayed distress. "Oh, but to walk all the way out here, I'm sure you have business! How silly of me! Could we take care of it here? I can show you inside if you like, or we could have a reception out here! Whichever works best for you." Giving him a bow, I smile. "My name's Shinzo. Shinzo Kata. I'm happy to be of service in any way I can!"
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 26, 2017 18:32:31 GMT
A slight smile subtly appeared on the high cheekboned face as the blue in his pupiless eyes danced with a hint of yellow in amusement.
He stepped forward, deeming no need to stand around waiting now that he had been greeted. "Inside will be sufficient." He had the voice of an old man, quiet but also authoritative, with an undertone of ripples much like a cat's purr. "Do not feel the need to keep ceremony on me Lord shinzo. My visit need not be treated like one of those tiring political functions." He had been to a few. They tended to be a lot of extravagance while getting little done. Of course he was still being formal right now as well, as seemed fitting for the moment. He wasn't in such a hurry as to throw formality completely to the wayside.
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Post by shinzo on Sept 26, 2017 19:01:01 GMT
Internally, I wince. A bunch of things stacked on top of each other...that was unfortunate. Either he was extraordinarily good at seeing just who I was, or he had an indomitable will to be able to force the effects of my Lion Mouse Strategem aside. Still, outside of hmy internal reflection, I keep perfectly poised and maintain the mask I was wearing. "Lord? Oh, perish the thought. I'm just a humble bureaucrat..." I nod as he states his desire to go inside. "But of course. I'd be happy to lead the way."
As I lead the man towards the manse, I tilt my head over to the man. "If you're going to call me something like Lord, though, I wonder if you'd be willing to talk to me about just what reason you have for coming here? I confess, I'm rather curious. We weren't expecting guests, after all." Really, if this guy was going to be all silent and mysterious, that was fine, but still, it was rather rude. I could be patient though, that tended to be the best way to defuse awkward situations.
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 26, 2017 20:17:16 GMT
He kept up at the pace set, practically gliding, with only the lightest of footsteps, while hands remained firmly tucked beneath the long sleeves of his garb. The prickling sensation against his skin continued to increase as he made his way deeper into the altered landscape. He couldn't call it pleasant.
"To be honest, the changes here have created several noticeable disturbances through the spheres of reality in this universe, placing quite a bit of stress on the systems already in place. Since I maintain those systems on the arcane front, it became important to investigate the specifics rather than let them flow unchecked." He explained in a calm measured tone as he summarized his purpose in coming. He guessed that Shinzo would not be confused by such an explanation. Ishiki would address the exact areas of concern in due time.
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Post by shinzo on Sept 26, 2017 21:26:09 GMT
Nodding along with his statements, I frown. Was it really such a disturbance? I could've sworn by now Kishar would have it tied to the Shinma and the surrounding earth, while the knots in causality, while severe and tangled, were gradually loosening. The fact that there was someone so attuned to it that it's mere presence as a 'bump' as it were like this enclave of Creation in this continent of Eokia was a frightful thing. While the Exalted were strong, we were hardly alone at our level of power. Beings such as the Third Circle Demons of the Yozi and the more dangerous of the Raksha nobles could prove to be our match, and the Incarnae and Primordials were generally our betters, though through our focus and determination we could overcome them by targeting their weaknesses and upending strength with skill. For all her faults, that was Merela's greatest accomplishment, and not one that anyone else could claim to have done successfully one on one.
"You do? That's quite fantastic!" I said, grinning. While it was potentially problematic, I couldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "I have so much to ask you! Me and my compatriot, well, we're new here, so there's a great deal we don't know and a great deal we'd love to learn. Please, you must stay a while and talk about the spheres of reality and the systems that govern them. It'll make our experimentation so much more effective, and likely tie into our plans for future projects!" Hopefully he would be amenable to that...it'd turn a potentially awkward situation into one that could be mutually beneficial.
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 27, 2017 1:43:23 GMT
Ishiki maintained a straight, nearly stoic face as his pale eyes focused on Shinzo. "I will consider it." he allowed regarding the request to linger and talk about the metaphysical workings of this world. He had nothing against taking the role of a teacher at times, and he certainly might have to explain some of the nuances of this cluster of realities if he wanted to make his points clear. But first the matters to which he had come.
He was gleaning information just by observing as they approached the dwelling. There appeared to be an interesting set of workings in place, though they certainly conflicted with several common eokian schemata for magical workings. "It seems you are quite adept at setting up your own systems." He observed coolly, wary about the effects of such large projects on the surrounding universe. There were existing laws for a reason after all.
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Post by shinzo on Sept 27, 2017 3:40:32 GMT
Not much of a talker at all. Too bad. Still, it wasn't off the table it seemed, so that was something. Unfortunately, that didn't leave me much to go with from here as they entered the structure. It was unfortunate, because as it was, he just outright wasn't telling me anything at all about what he needed, leaving me with nothing more than what I could glean from his stony demeanor. Well, in a situation like this, guess it was on me to try and fix. "Well, Mr...well, I don't think I got your name, did I?" I laugh, though I'm pretty sure it was intentional on his part, to keep that air of mystique I was left with chipping apart to try and get at something reasonable.
I tilt my head. "Anyway, I'm curious, still. Exactly what kinds of things are you looking for? It's kind of untoward to announce an inspection without saying what you're inspecting for, isn't it? There tend to be rules about these sorts of things, isn't there?" Grinning as he mentions being good at setting up their own systems, I just rub the back of my head. "Well, we're more used to doing things that way. But my partner is a lot better at it than I am." I shrug. "I'd help, but it's hard to without knowing, much of anything that's going on."
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 27, 2017 4:52:38 GMT
That comment on having yet to introduce himself brought out a slight more genuine smile. Details details. "Considering that you are not at this alone, I find it suitable to wait on some matters." He explained in a straightforward manner, although he had held off on an introduction even before he had been told that there was a companion. There was a chance he had known before hand. Though many things were new to him, he wasn't going into this 'inspection' blind.
"your partner seems to have had a greater hand in this particular alteration. Marks of individuality are clear." He gestured toward the general area, pointing out nothing in particular yet. The things he was looking for would certainly stand out to his sight, as easily as he could differentiate between arcane works.
Turning, he faced Shinzo. "Perhaps I should inquire first of those things you have been modifying." Again the broad topic, not what he was looking for explicitly but Ishiki determined his results better if he chose to present things in bits. "You hand is in...possibility, is it not?"
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Post by shinzo on Sept 27, 2017 22:36:01 GMT
The man's words got nods and affirmations, but gradually, I could tell that I was losing patience. I wasn't being told anything...it was like the man was waiting for Kishar to catch wind of the situation and render any potential for amicable negotiation impossible. It made me want to tear my hair out, if I was going to deal with it, I wanted to make some understanding at least be underway before I needed to have a mixed position with a Solar who would, undoubtedly, not be keen on the idea of budging. "Ah, but I'm not sure that's necessary. You see, she is quite busy at work at the moment, and I think we both really would prefer if this got handled without having her need to be interrupted, you see...between you and me, she isn't the most reasonable sort in this sort of thing...she gets cranky, you understand." Hopefully that would maybe be enough to get him to take the damned hint, though unfortunately I couldn't be confident in that.
As he inquires about the changes made and my part in them, I just smile and shrug. "You'd be correct...superficially, at least. It's really more a matter of what it is that we specialize in." My smile widens into a grin. "My associate focuses in the manipulation of the World-That-Is. Where I am from, she is known as a Lawgiver, possessing the Creation-Ruling Mandate. That is why she excels at the manipulation of the physical, able to shape it into what you see." I shrug. "I, meanwhile, am one of the Glorious Viziers. I shape the world that will be, and the world that should be. Possibility is a part of that, a large part...but I believe the more accurate term would be Causality. How changes affect other things. How the world of the future is shaped from the occurrences of today. And the glitches and failures that threaten that future. That is my craft, and my role. To advise the Lawgivers as to bring about that future." I tilt my head. "And now that I've said this, I think it might be time for you to come clean as well, my friend. What is your role? What is your hand? I feel I've been very up-front with you, but I don't feel like I've received the same courtesy. I would of course prefer to keep things peaceable, but I also don't feel like letting myself be run over, you understand."
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 28, 2017 2:50:25 GMT
The man noted the information first, considering what the explanation of the strangers' roles in their initial land explained about the circumstances of the ripples caused by their presence. It certainly made the nature of the disturbances clearer. It also gave him some insight into how the strangers thought of themselves and their place in the universe. "No wonder there is so much conflict. The laws of reality here are largely self corrective. once set in motion they rarely need to be touched. One thing I have detected here is an uncomfortable stratifying of fate into lines, just one of the conflicts that have happened in this place. Our causality acts like ripples and currents in an ocean. It is more complicated than that image, but when a net gets cast into the sea, things foreseeably get caught up in it." He pointed out. That was one of the interferences he had noted.
Now he supposed he ought to explain at least some of his role in this universe. "My role is in the fate of this reality, to damage correct where clashes with conflicting realities such as your own damage the rules that have been set in place to the point where they do not repair themselves. I also have the task of doing similarly for this continent regarding magical flow, as there are for the moment a few rules in place aside from those that spin naturally here."
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Post by shinzo on Sept 28, 2017 8:54:23 GMT
Now we were getting somewhere. "Well, that sounds a lot like my job when you get down to it, so I see where you're coming from." I shrug. "To you, it'd probably seem like we're beings Outside Fate that are just messing around with whatever they want, no better than some filthy Raksha." It made sense. I didn't like it, but it made sense. "It's nice that things are so self-corrective, though...that almost makes it sound like you shouldn't have a job, though. After all, if it's fine with the world and things are rippling off of it, it's no trouble, right?"
Toying around with his comparison as much as I wanted, though, that wouldn't get me where I needed to go. "So, what exactly is the situation. This patch of the world is different, and, well, we kind of need it to be different. Is there anything we can do to help smooth things over? That'd be ideal, I think."
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 28, 2017 11:43:44 GMT
"As I said, my job is to intervene when self-correction does not or cannot occur." Ishiki pointed out. He did not plan on touching on the subject further.
"And why did you need this world to be like the one you came from hmm?" He asked, still assessing this part of the situation and planning to touch on the best courses of action after more details were firmly established. He could see that Shinzo's and by extension his partner's physiological make up resonated with this place, probably as clearly as Ishiki himself seemed outside of it, present but apart.
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Post by shinzo on Sept 29, 2017 0:09:47 GMT
I just shrug. "Well, that explains why you're here, at least. Though, I'm still curious about what exactly it is you'd want." I raise my hands in a conciliatory gesture. "I'm sure that's important, but you really should try and help me out here on this. Believe me, I'm a lot easier to compromise with on stuff like this than Kishar would be, you know?" It was a simple statement, but one that I had to impress on this guy the importance of. After all, she definitely wouldn't take too kindly to someone interfering with her experiments in the slightest, while really, I didn't care, so long as we could keep working without a problem, I could find a mutually beneficial arrangement.
At his question, though, I just shrug. "I mean, it works easier. This world's particles are too densely clustered. Where we're from, the Essence of all things is much freer, much less ordered and structured. After all, reality is magic, at it's base, the smallest common denominator is the Essence that fuels our very existences. Just freeing that essence and repatterning it into the way that works best for us makes us a lot more comfortable, you see. It doesn't do any harm, after all, humans are humans, and we have humans back where we're from too. If anything, it'd make them stronger too, and more likely to be able to access magic."
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Loner, Kazetatsu, Kaze
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Post by Loner。 on Sept 29, 2017 2:40:53 GMT
"There you would be incorrect. As soon as you change to a different universe-reality there is a chance that the nature of reality itself is drastically different from what you knew, that the very essence you speak of doesn't exist, that the smallest unit is something else entirely." Ishiki pointed out.
"In the least similar realities, if the bonds that hold you together are too fragile..." He began a chain reaction through a portion of his own physiology. He weakened the bonds that held his arm together. These were not essence in the sense the strangers knew as Ishiki was built on a different baseline than theirs to begin with. As he raised his arm, It instantly and violently disintegrated. "You cease to exist in your entirety."
He reformed his arm gradually, again no essence involved in the process, pulling matter of his own being to the limb rather than replacing what was lost as he continued to speak. "Here there are multiple smallest units due to the fact that this universe orbits against different realities as it is. Each have their own baseline unit that is separate from but interacts with the others. It is why a multiplicity of ways of being exist."
"Beings born in one reality are often on a different baseline even if they share the same name and visible physiological traits. In short, the only ones this change in reality helps are yourselves, and any beings more in tune to your baseline than to one of the others."
"To keep these baselines in balance a process called tuning occurs, but your stratification of this land to your rules and energy, forbids this process all together. You have created an incompatible rift which will either spread to the surrounding land, like a poison or collapse in on itself, and become its own microverse in an attempt to rebalance." The former was more likely considering the measures taken to integrate the different realities which seemed present. The latter was the one Ishiki was willing to enforce, essentially turning this new stratification of reality into its own universe, with no connection to this reality, as it would simplify things on his end, but it was likely not what the strangers desired.
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