♛ 001: text

[spearsurfing]

EVE would like to verify that Chung, Raven, and Rena are still present in the tower. Additionally, if any others from Elrios have arrived in her absence, and updated list is requested.

EVE was not able to bring back any samples, but... I can confirm that our world has died. I was unable to find any traces of life or El energy. Not even the demons remain. The red-haired boy... I was also unable to find.

If there are still those here who doubt the information we have been given about our worlds, EVE urges you to reconsider. Whatever force caused this, there is no way anything could have survived. Revival is not possible. This death is absolute.

I am sorry.

Comments

1/??? not here yet; i'm sorry

[unkindnessof]

[EVE- Eve is back? Absently Raven begins to skim the message, mentally drafting up a short, noncommittal reply; answer, update, debrief, all business as per her first paragraph, but then he reaches the second, one thing in particular catching his eye.]

2/??? still not here;

[unkindnessof]

[The red-haired boy-

Elsword-]

3/??? we'll get there soon enough;

[unkindnessof]

[Involuntarily, his hands fist as he reads onward, keyboard and tablet creaking warningly in protest. The low, guttural sound that escapes him is harsh and feral-sounding, only barely seeming human.]

4/??? i still have no idea what happened really;

[unkindnessof]

[They'd been told from the moment they arrived to the Tower their worlds were gone and there was nothing left; what did he expect, truly? Chung may have held out hope, and maybe some of it might have infected him, some small part feebly hoping the prince was right while the rest tried to ignore it and carry on as per usual. (It's not like being a lost soul, wandering around without rest past its proper time is anything particularly new.)

Perhaps. It's not true- whatever the admins did to the souls who disappeared (storage? who even knows—), perhaps whatever manner of illusion they conjure can fool even Eve's sensors- perhaps, perhaps not—]

5/6 raven is ridiculous whoops;

[unkindnessof]

[and it's back to that again, they don't know

He's starting to hate this lack of control, this not knowing, this damned helplessness

The evidence in favor of the letters being truthful is mounting; evidence to the contrary is as scarce as ever. None of it confirmable, not with the sort of control the administrators have over the Tower, but still he's wary of treading down this road because when does it stop being a justified skepticism and instead just mindless self-delusion?

Very carefully, he pushes back his emotions and focuses on writing:]

6/6 OKAY DONE; text

[unkindnessof]

last i saw them was several weeks ago. their names are still on the doors.

yours vanished for a time. [he supposes it's back now, if she's here again.]

are you able to meet in person?

[...no guarantees on how long his tenuous self-control will last.]

raven plz; text

[spearsurfing]

[Oh wow she had almost lost all hope of Raven ever replying by now.]

Raven? It is good to hear from you. [Which is not only true, but might even be an understatement. Sure, complete solitude for extended periods wasn't something she was unused to, but it wasn't something she enjoyed, either. Even their tense, awkward relationship was better than nothing at all.]

If that is the case, it's possible that a name being removed implies that person has been returned to their world. Most likely, there are others here who could confirm this for us, if it is indeed the case. However, if you have not seen the others as well... I cannot be sure of what this means. I did not encounter anyone from our party while I was gone.

I am able. Tell me where you would like to meet.

[raichung]

EVE! Where did you go? What... do you mean our world has died...?

[spearsurfing]

Ah, Chung. It is good to hear from you as well.

EVE was able to return to Elrios through an unknown method, but... the El... [kinda gone entirely now]

#things that suck about playing a failure knight; text

[unkindnessof]

...likewise. [Surprisingly enough it, too, is truthful, not simply pleasantries for the sake of avoiding conflict. This is a reminder: not everything is gone, only near to it. There's still something—someones, rather—left.

Even so, 'I did not encounter anyone from our party while I was gone.'

He knows she's mentioning it in response to what he'd said about the others, but it also hammers home the the memory of red hair and obnoxiously endearing, cocky idiocy.]

there is a floor- the thirteenth. sound doesn't carry well there; if we'd prefer not to be overheard by others, it's an option. [It just so happens this option involves passing by floor twelve, the floor where one can watch worlds meet their ends. There is also the option of coming down from floor 41 or 21 up to 31 and back down, but...]

otherwise, whatever's most practical or convenient depending on location, i guess. there are lounges on the 4th, 38th, and 81st floors, or we can meet in the library or some other location. any preferences?

text » action

[spearsurfing]

The thirteenth floor is fine. EVE will be there shortly. [Haha, as if seeing a universe die would really bother her at this point.

She doesn't waste any time getting there. When Raven arrives she's already seated at the front, staring listlessly at the stained glass above the altar.]

action

[unkindnessof]

[Been there, done that.

When Raven arrives, he takes a seat nearby, leaving some amount of space between the two of them.

This is familiar, isn't it? Now that they're both here, he doesn't know where to begin to break the strangely companionable silence.]

... It's true, is it? Nothing left, not even the tainted El?

This may seem a strange request, but... scan yourself, or whatever it is Nasods do. Tell me whether or not you detect anything at all off.

action

[spearsurfing]

[She doesn't move when he sits down. His presence is... comforting. She would be fine simply staying as they were, even if only for a short while.

She has to give him a sideways look when he asks her to "scan herself", however. Goodness, it didn't take long to ruin the moment.]

That is unnecessary. The possibility that what I perceived was an illusion was my first consideration. I have checked my internal logs for errors, thoroughly.

I was unable to detect any trace of El, clean or tainted. There were bodies... [her shoulders droop, if only slightly] They were not unlike my own people. Perhaps if they were Nasods I would have been able to revive them, but...

[yyyyyeah probably not, it was pretty gross.]

[unkindnessof]

[You expected Raven to be good at people. Really. He doesn't notice the sideways look, anyway, although- he would've expected it had he actually been facing Eve.

But he's not, gaze instead directed off somewhere to the side and down.]

It's not that. [that's a half-lie, he can't deny it partially was.] I suppose... I was curious. I'm told our bodies here are replicas of our own, which... presumably perished when Elrios did. I wonder how thorough said replication is.

... That's not important, anyway. There still are bodies... [The thought trails off. He's not sure himself of where it was going.

There are times when their similarities are strikingly apparent, and normally he would try to ignore or deny it. Right now, though... he can't bring himself to. There'd be little point to it.

They sit in silence for another moment before he finally looks up and over at Eve.]

...If all life is gone, then I suppose, at least- they're resting in peace.

[Even if it is without proper burial or marker. But there were many he knew whom were denied that, so.

Now what of them, the ones left behind?]

text

[warriorscribe]

I have not yet lost hope in the possibility of restoring them. If Dax believed it to be true, he must have had some basis in it, correct? Given the way Riki can control this environment, I am not convinced there is no way to affect other worlds.

text

[spearsurfing]

Perhaps... EVE has not been here very long, compared to others. However, she knows the amount of energy that is required to resurrect even a small island and its residents is massive. Even if one were to collect enough energy to resurrect an entire planet, it is unlikely that the souls lost would be returned.

I want to believe that there is hope, but... the data I have gathered does not support such a possibility.

[spearsurfing]

Our bodies... are replicas? [That... wasn't something she was aware of. She pauses, staring off at nothing. Re-checking her system. Perhaps there was something she could've missed, assuming it was only a minor glitch...

There still are bodies... yes. She had to be certain none of them were his, after all. But if they are replicas, then it doesn't matter anyway. The red-haired boy is dead—they all are.

She reaches over to the seat on her other side where her drones waited patiently, pulling Moby up and onto her lap.]

If I detect anything of note in my programming, I will inform you. But if what you claim is true, then I can already say that the process is very thorough. [If she never even considered it until now, it has to be pretty good.]

[unkindnessof]

If it’s true. They claim that it’s only our souls that are pulled here. [His posture shifts slightly after this. It at once seems a little stronger, and yet wearier, and he takes a deep breath before stating quietly:]

No one else has arrived in your absence. My last encounter with either Rena or Chung was roughly a month ago, during an incident with closed space. It is possible... with the size of the tower, it may be that our paths simply hadn’t crossed since then. I know Rena is fond of the thirty-eighth floor, but I haven’t been able to find her there recently. I'm told some people can fall asleep for abnormal periods of time, but...

[He delivers this blandly, treating it like he would any other sitrep. Keep talking, focus on the present. This is a necessary thing. The present is what matters, and the forced objectivity distracts him from dwelling too long or hard on—]

The one responsible for aforementioned incident is a man that goes by Ganondorf. Red-orange hair, armored, largely-built, dark-skinned. Rather prone to... grand displays, at least from my brief experience. May have had co-conspirators, I’m not sure. There was one other... None were our so-called Administrators, who aren't that united of a front, apparently.

...I believe that's everything of note. I apologize if I'm telling you anything you already know. I can't be sure of what you do. [And with that, he basically is admitting he really wasn't keeping tabs on Eve before she disappeared.

But now that he's out of things to report, it's hard not to fall back into thoughts of Elrios. Elrios, which Eve had given up as a lost cause...

They are not- the most comfortable of companions, but whatever their relationship, he can at least be impressed by the Nasod Queen's drive to revive her race. Perhaps even admire, if he'd been more inclined to it.

But if she, who'd worked tirelessly since the moment of her reawakening by— to find a way to restore a civilization lost to the world, had no hope for their world... then, what, really?]

[spearsurfing]

[She nods as he explains, making a quick gesture to Reby for him to start taking notes. If they had enemies here, she'd have to keep her database up to date and accurate.

She waits until Raven is done before interjecting, Reby still tapping away at his tiny holographic keyboard.] I was able to contact Chung earlier, so we can be certain that he, at least, is safe.

[No comment on Rena. It's not difficult to tell, even for a Nasod, that Raven cares deeply for her. Emphasizing her absence further would be unnecessary.

She hesitates for a moment, hugging her drone a little tighter.]

Raven, I am aware that our relationship has not been the most positive, but... I do worry about you. I would like it if you informed me of your status, from time to time. [Which is Eve's way of saying hey, I'd be sad if you disappeared, let's try not to totally avoid each other as much.]

I will continue sending Scouts to explore the tower's floors. If they encounter any sign of Rena or the others from our party, I will let you know.

[unkindnessof]

[There is no immediate response from Raven. He instead stares blankly out into space, at a panel of stained glass, before slowly heaving a long breath and slumping in his seat, left hand finding the edge of the pew and grasping it tightly.]

...Should it happen that I come across them before you or your Scouts do, I can promise the same. And I suppose... I am not too opposed to that course of action. It would be good if we all kept track of each other here...

[His voice is still that quiet, even monotone, but thin cracks spider from beneath his claw.] If you were able to contact Chung, then, at least... that's one less child to— worry about. [He'd been about to say 'mourn,' and only barely managed to catch himself at the last moment.]

...Is there anything else in particular you wanted to discuss?

[spearsurfing]

We should not allow our party to drift apart, even if we do not have a reason to travel together here. Because... we are united by more than just the El, I believe. [Perhaps Nasods didn't have a concept of "family", but they sure did make quite the dysfunctional one.

Eve pauses, raising a hand to signal to Reby that he could stop.]

... Ah, there was one more thing... the replacement sword Raven requested. Eve remembers completing it, however, she is not sure if it reached you. [considering she vanished abruptly before she could officially hand it off herself.

and maybe she also wants to see if she can get some comments on her work and then fill it with more lasers.]

[raichung]

An unknown method?

But it can't be!! Our world can't be dead! I haven't saved Father yet or Hamel!!

[spearsurfing]

EVE is unsure as to how or why she was able to return to Elrios, and she also cannot say what allowed her to return to the tower. All she can be certain of is what she has seen.

[... For some reason, it feels cruel to continue weighing these heavy facts down on Chung. He was still young and hopeful, but worked just as hard as the rest of them did to save those he cared for...]

Perhaps... there is still a way. But resurrecting a world will not be easy.

[unkindnessof]

...Mmm. More than just a cause, I think. [It's the closest he'll come to outright agreement. No replacement for those lost... but they comfortably fill in the empty spaces all the same.]

I did find it. I'd assumed you intended it to be that way... I wasn't sure of whether it was finished or not, as by the time I'd thought to ask about it you were nowhere to be found in the Tower, but it seemed to be fully functional, at least.

[He was actually quite pleased with its performance, not... that... one could tell right now, with him carefully controlling—and supressing—any flickers of emotion that might arise.]

[spearsurfing]

The structure and electronics were completed, though Eve was unsure of the balance. She wished to perform proper equipment testing before finalizing it. Have you had any difficulties with it?

The El energy efficiency could also use some adjustments... While Eve was able to stabilize the beam, she was displeased with the results. [which is to say it can only cut through most things rather than ALL the things. Too bad she never got some kind of laser-specializing code, or something.]