hugtopia_logs | it's a paaaaarty

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it's a paaaaarty

♥ Who: Aera Mirus Fleuret and YOU.
♥ Where: Around town and at her residence.
♥ When: NOW!
♥ What: Smoothies. It's literally a party... to make smoothies. A smoothie mingle, if you will.
♥ Rating: S for Smoothie. Also I can't imagine this getting rated any more than a PG 13 for language and shenanigans.

[ A - It's shoppin' time! ]

[ In the morning, Aera can be found hanging around various areas of town, mostly picking up little things. Party hats, she's discovered, are some of her favorite things. She's also got to make sure she's got plenty of cups, too. If one is to throw a party based on the premise of whipping up various smoothies, then one needs to be properly prepared.

She's also dropping hand written invitations off and handing them out to random people, because why not?

The invitation simply reads:
'Dearest friend and or loved one,
It has been brought to my attention recently that smoothies are delicious and, apparently, on occasion, magical. With this in mind, I've realized that I do not actually know how to make a smoothie.
You are invited to my home [INSERT ADDRESS HERE] this evening for a smoothie party. Supplies will be provided, but if you wish to bring anything, please do. The more the merrier!

P.S - if Ardyn says he did not want to throw a party, do not believe him. He is lying. He is very excited about smoothies.

-Aera Mirus Fleuret'

That last part is probably a lie. He's probably not that excited for smoothies. ]

[ B - PARTAAAAAY ]

[ As the sun sinks and night falls, Aera's opened her home up to anyone and everyone. Upon your arrival, no matter who you are, you will be greeted with a hug and a kiss to the cheek, along with having a delightful party hat strapped to your head. How festive!

In the kitchen, she's got lots of things ready for smoothie making. Well... things she thinks would make for good smoothies. But if you've brought anything, she'll gladly take it with a thanks and place it with the rest of the things in the kitchen.

Go on. Make a smoothie. Drink the smoothie. Mingle. It's a smoothie party, after all. ]

[[ ooc; it's a mingle friends! Feel free to start your own threads, tag whoever you want, and have a fabulous time making ~~chaos~~ smoothies. ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She has no idea what MT are, unfortunately, but they seem like some sort of weapon... Yet at that-- the 'if we find another way', her brow raises. "Are you in a position to put a stop to advancing your forces?"

It seems fairly simple to her; if he believes the loss of life is tragic, is this war worth continuing?

"I have a fair amount of influence, if necessary. I am neither His Radiance nor the generals, however. My main influence would be in my ability to speak with or convince His Imperial Majesty."

He knew many of the others didn't care for him.

She thinks back to their last conversation for a moment, and when it seems a moment or two passes, she speaks again.

"Knowing what you know here...would you attempt to stop this war?"

"Yes, I would."

That was actually a simple answer. He'd always wanted to see the war end. It was hard to imagine how it would beyond victory, or what he would do after, but it had always been a goal.

The corners of her lips curve upward into a small smile. Hearing this, she feels as if she's just witnessed something unprecedented.

"That... seems like something a few of the Lucis Caelums wouldn't mind hearing."

The question is, will they believe him if he says as much?

"I have said as much to His Majesty. But I am also not the leader of my country. It would require His Radiance to achieve, but I am the sole representative of Niflheim here."

It complicated things. Whether or not he was fine with it, he was not the one who could make it happen.

"In.... our world," she begins carefully, slowly. "Most of their wars have been fought over resources, power."

Scarce as they are, the continents can only provide so much; and the foresight of mankind is often limited in what they've been given. Stripping entire mountains for lumbar and minerals in the autumn, only to not see the landslides that would wreck their towns come the spring rains. Or mining a titan for its power, only to turn their continent into a desert.

It does make her wonder what began, or contributed to beginning, the one in his world.... "What is His Radiance's goal with this one he wages?"

He nodded along. It made perfect sense. Such was the way of life on many worlds, most likely.

"His Radiance wars to reclaim land that was once Solheim's, as the proper Chosen One to lead the people and as the descendants of Solheim. But I do not doubt that times in the past have been different. Over hundreds of years we have struggled with resources. Cartanica is an excellent example of such. It was once a major provider of both the oil and coal that we required. However, there is little left of it now. By the time of my birth it's natural resources had long been squandered and it is now a ghost town with little use beyond being a train stop."

A shame. The Empire could have used a large industrial town, but their ancestors did not have the foresight to use the land in a sustainable way. He didn't mind talking about it seeing as it was distant from them - neither he nor the Emperor had been around to cause it. They simply inherited the problem.

"The consequences of this lack of forethought were passed down to us. Much of our land is currently wastelands with little ability to grow food or supply resources, and our population has exploded exponentially." He took in a heavy breath, though he did not place this sentiment on their current ruler. "I do not doubt that at times wars have been fought out of desperation. His Imperial Majesty became quite popular due to his response to this. When our resources were most scarce, he fought for the poor and the orphans to receive an education. Among the top politicians it was quite controversial to waste resources on such an endeavor when we were struggling so, but he argued that due to our struggle we could not afford to waste potential talent. It was one of his first accomplishments."

And he was oozing respect for that.

She listens quietly as he speaks of his world. The respect he has for his emperor is palpable. With this, she wonders if Verstael had been among the less affluent that the emperor had raised up from the poorest troughs of the empire, allowing him to receive the education needed to become what he is today. It would explain his adoration and gratefulness she hears.

Human intellect and ingenuity; the Emperor had been wise to invest in this, but that doesn't help a lack of raw materials and resources problem the empire itself might have been facing.

"To support his population, His Radiance seeks another source to support the empire," she comments slowly. "From this Solheim? Or something else?"

She was an observant person, and perhaps for that reason he took to her well. Not that he made efforts to have difficulties with others, but it often went that way regardless.

"Solheim was razed by the gods millennia ago, and some hundreds of years later Niflheim rose from those ashes."

He acknowledged the lapse in time. It hadn't happened right away, with people trying to recover, and Lucis rising in between. Much was unknown about what happened and he could only guess the cause. "We have been seeking to reclaim the land. Duscae is full of life, and various Solheimian ruins are located there. It's also a strategically important area to maintain military control over."

It was a mixture. The land had belonged to Solheim, it had resources and it was strategical. "There are also traces of Solheim in the Cleigne regions. It was quite expansive. These regions have much to offer the Empire. But beyond the land we have also invested heavily in magiteknology. Our magitek is more advanced than any in the world, though we still have much to learn from the ancients. It took some time, but it was my research into meat production that ultimately alleviated the famine. We endured the hard times. It is through our reclamation of the lands and our technology that we will thrive."

A civilization razed by the gods, only for another to return from its ruins. How industrious that life persists after such devastation. She's heard a bit of this tale before, actually... and it gives her some hope. Even if all sentientkind were to be wiped out in the world, if the world itself still exists, there remains a chance for life to occur once more. It make take eons more, but life may awaken to awareness once again. She considers Verstael's world lucky that only one past empire had been razed and not the entirety of it in one fell blow.

That, and for a new empire to be rebuilt later? That's very impressive. Except--

'--much to learn from the ancients.'

There's a warning in this tale, here. "Knowing that this past empire had felt the wrath of the gods... Would you not be cautious in pursuing what innovations they had?"

"Solheim once worshiped the Infernian. They were known for their technology and wisdom, and lived in prosperity. It is said that they turned on the gods due to their hubris. However, I find that people don't often give up their beliefs easily. Even now in Niflheim many worship the gods.

I long suspected that they turned on the gods because they learned something. When Ardyn subjugated Ifrit he was able to glimpse into his memories and he, too, quickly turned on the gods. I do not know the exact reasoning for their change of mind, but I do believe we must be prepared to face the gods or else live at their whim. Solheim was more advanced than we currently are. If we can recover their technology and build on it, we may yet stand a chance."

Trust in the gods? Not so much. He was skeptical of myths and legends. It was the winners of war that decided what story was to be told, after all.

He mentions a number of things she wishes to inquire on, but first and foremost—

Face the gods or live at their whim— What a dichotomy.

She raises a hand, palm upward, as if to stop him; or, perhaps, in a question. “U...Um. Respectfully, that’s a little too black and white, don’t you think? Especially if only based on speculation.”

She’s not quite sure what to think of this. Surely a scientific mind would not prematurely conclude such polar ends. There can be a middle ground, or a different approach. If he is to keep the future in mind, it is imperative to consider all avenues of it. Perhaps he’s already considered it, but she would like to hear his reasoning. That, and...

He’s rather enthusiastic, and she suspects him to be easily absorbed in his work. If he had been consumed by it in his world, if no one had stopped him to question it during the high stress and need of victory no matter the cost... A lack of a dissenting voice couldn’t have helped the path into which he suspects he may have fallen. On the network, Cor had called her as playing the Infernian’s advocate. She’ll gladly play that here not to discourage, but to discuss. Or at least try to get him to slow down.

"The Astrals nearly eradicated humanity once."

Fair play, he figured. But, of course, she would only know so much about their world. Plenty on their own world knew very little of the gods. Some would know little more than a name.

But he knew some and he wasn't impressed. They needed some new gods.

"The gods chose one and gifted him the ability to heal the Starscourge. Do you know who that is?"

Pyra inclines her head. The answer doesn't seem to assuage her doubts. In her world, the god they have has never revealed his intentions. His tools, too; not up until recently. It is up to humans to attempt to interpret what they do.

"Go on."

With a wave of his hand in a rather dramatic fashion he indicated the lover of the host, none other than...

"Ardyn. The gods gifted him with the ability to absorb the daemons into himself in order to heal others. Entirely believing that he was the Chosen One to become king, he traveled the world healing people.

But they betrayed him. They rejected him and gave his brother the Stone and the ring to control it." Again, his free hand swung dramatically in the other direction to indicate none other than Somnus. Amazingly, both were at this party. "Ardyn was tortured and imprisoned for two millennia, until I discovered and released him, while the usurper carried on burning entire villages to the ground and taking control of the country through 'divine power'. More nations rose up in the centuries following, one being Niflheim, and while we have few details it isn't hard to imagine that the tyranny and oppression of Lucis rule likely gave birth to its own opposition.

If those from our future are to be believed, the end result is a world of darkness and daemons. ...You might blame the release of Ardyn for that. If he was to be their official sacrifice, then releasing him naturally released the daemons - but that isn't entirely true. If that were there plan they failed either way. Daemons had already been re-surging before Ardyn was released."

With that, he leaned slightly towards Pyra. "You can place blame on Solheim for its ultimate fall as history oft does, but the people thereafter sought only refuge. For that they and everyone they knew were set aflame. They tortured, tormented and betrayed, and in the end it brings us a world of endless night that no doubt most will perish during. That is what our gods would give us should we choose to follow them."

Throughout his explanation, she continues to hold his hand, looking in the direction the two men to which he gestures. The long history of their world seems deeply ingrained in a prophecy and accounts from all sides. She appreciates Verstael's perspective, the information he reveals. More pieces to add to the puzzle, as it were. When he leans in, she doesn't lean away, watching him carefully.

The Stone he refers to must mean the Crystal. In her own world, she's met a few who had been furious at being rejected by the crystal. Their expectation, their belief that they had been worthy ended in them being burned. This was their error: their assumption of interpreting their god's will in the first place, regardless of signs of greatness, nobility, or capability. However, unlike in her world... she does know his has an Oracle or two. Perhaps their will had been clearer; but for her, it seems that he interprets his gods in bad faith regardless. It's understandable, given the evidence he presents.

Of course he wishes to save his Empire, prevent its fall from happening. She suspects this will be the basis for his actions here on out. He believes that whatever grand plan the gods have for his world is faulty, if entirely destructive, and that perhaps he might come up with something better. At this, her head tilts. Ever has she played the observer; for countless millennia, she's watched the world develop from life anew to empires rises and falling. Neither the fall of empires nor the hubris of mankind is new; but so, too is their innovation and persistence to overcome... If he thinks he can develop something better than the gods themselves, then she expects a solution not based in emotion or fury at divine beings, making them scapegoats or assuming their intent malicious even if it might be. Destroying or subjugating them won't destroy the scourge, after all, and it seem excessively destructive when their world has been so torn apart as it is. He has to think beyond that, overcome it.

Can he think beyond that?

Perhaps he can. Or, she will try to facilitate the idea.

"Before, you seemed to worry your future self may help instigate this darkness that befalls your empire." Or at least in part, accelerate that darkness. She pauses before continuing mindfully, "The scourge makes that darkness. You and Ardyn subjugated a god with that scourge." It seems apparent to her to not use that which destroys his world to enslave gods, especially if it leads to bringing more darkness.

But she will give him this:

"Perhaps... your gods do not see past their own prophecy."

She keeps close. "But... Besting them utterly doesn't necessarily mean destroying them." Such is the simpler solution, the easier way-- not that it would be an easy at all. But it is the way in which a few others seem to jump to so readily. Destruction only proves power, not innovation or creativity, and it does not prove to her that humanity in his world can live without them or that their obliteration may make things worse. If he wants to prove them obsolete, humanity must first prove it has no need of them, that they can devise solutions of their own to overcome the machinations of the powers that be.

"Bestithia... I think you can do better than that," she says softly, in a way she hopes may be encouraging. How she would like to see it: a world wished into existence not necessarily without gods, but where there is no need of gods and their might, where humanity can strive on its own. The gods and their tools can remain in the heavens, away from it all. Her own world had almost been like that, until someone decided to steal the weapons of their god down to the earth. "Present the world with an alternative that does not involve using scourge or Ardyn."

Human potential... how far can it go, and can this man deliver? And above all this, is he intrigued or challenged by 'defeating' them in a way that trumps their own plan, or will he cower from the idea and think he is incapable?

"Do you think you can overcome your gods in that way?"

Tempting as it was to burst forward, like an athlete at the beginning of a race, it was a foolish man that didn't listen. Pyra had earned some respect from him, so despite being resistant to change, he listened with a critical ear.

He felt the gods a threat. Or at least, a potentially very large one, and one that showed little compassion for the pain of mankind. Not only that, but their enemies used the same power, and defeating the gods would let him discover how to defeat Lucis. He didn't particularly want to leave them be.

Though it was true enough that with his new goal such things were no longer at the top of his list to do. He had been considering asking Regis for assistance with various tasks and finding a cure of all things. He was a man with many important tasks in front of him - he hardly had time to schedule for the gods.

In silence he held onto Pyra as he thought.

"I will overcome them in any way that is necessary. Dealing with them may be placed to the side for now, but if they dare to impede my progress I will not stand for it."

At his answer, her expression smiles. At the same time, it seems more withdrawn.

"Do you wish to change the future of your world, Besithia?"

There was something that made him hesitate. Changing his world made a much larger difference in his life than most others. It meant giving up on something things and starting on others. It would be a massive and quick change, and came with its own dangers and lingering regrets.

However, he could not give in. He realized it had to be done, so he answered firmly, "I do."

To that she has no immediately response, although her hand remains in contact with his.

"The future you seek... there may be consequences."

"There always are."

Though he sought to address every issue he could think of, the overall outcome could be quite unpredictable. There were too many parts to account for, especially when dealing with other people.

And there is no way to be fully prepared for any of those diverging paths unless he might somehow have a way to look into them himself.

"I trust you will be cautious."

"I will be vigilant."

At the very least, once he set his mind to something he wouldn't let much stop him. The main issue was redirecting his intentions - like most people he didn't like changing his mind. He was somewhat set in his ways and being uprooted, in a sense, left a sour taste in his mouth.

"There is no knowing what may come. I will need to balance many things... I'm not sure the others here fully comprehend the intricate game we play. There is not merely one nor two factors in play. We speak of potentially hundreds with many that might be unknowns, and we must address everything we can for the best chance of success. I will not allow anything to get in my way, however."

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Some headcanon thrown in because we're not given a lot of info

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1/2

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