[Lahabrea would deny any claim to godhood, especially since he doesn’t aspire to become a deity. Since Athena's fall from grace, he has dedicated his life to repairing the damage she caused in the depths of Pandaemonium. With so much work ahead of him to preserve the longevity of their new world, he could not let the stench of her insanity seep into Etheirys However, to individuals who are not familiar with the Convocation, Lahabrea and other members may appear like gods. After all, Lahabrea’s true name is that of the Greek deity of fire, Hephaistos.]
Despite all the sacrifices made, nothing could stop the inevitable end.
[He looks at the projection he made out of aether and murmurs to himself. By now, curious spectators were observing them, most of them taken aback by this magical spectacle. Lahabrea, though, didn't appear in the slightest bit perturbed. However, his expression shifts into one of wrath when Frieda as of “how” this all came to be.]
That is because we were betrayed by another, one who dared to defy us in moment of need.
[His description of this would-be traitor is tinged with venom and a dark hint of hatred. Who would have the audacity to undermine the hard work of a worthy few? A vile tyrant who believed that her will was superior to the will of the people. His resentment for this brutal usurper knows no bounds, but Hephaistos has yet to act. Though he wishes he could rip her to pieces for ruining all he held dear, even Lahabrea acknowledges that Venat is not solely to blame.]
Even so, I hesitate to inflict unnecessary violence on this traitor despite my lingering contempt for them.
[Lahabrea lets out a heavy sigh as the illusions he constructed evaporate suddenly, leaving behind a path of glittery white shards that eventually fade from existence. He's quite exhausted. Lahabrea sits back in his chair and shuts his eyes, like a tired old man. It is the most humanlike thing he has done thus far.]
[As the broken little world is extinguished, the other café visitors discreetly turn back to their meals, drinks and conversation partners. Frieda, rapt by what she's seeing and hearing, hasn't even noticed how many others were paying attention.]
One of your own, then..! Who'd hate their own world enough to bring about its destruction after seeing everyone else sacrifice themselves to save it?
[There's something else that still troubles her - Lahabrea said that he and the two other survivors managed to avoid their people's fate by escaping into the Aetherial Sea. While at first she was stunned at the sheer concept of entering a metaphysical realm, she now feels that her real questions hasn't been answered yet: Why were they alone chosen to survive? Or did they choose their survival themselves?
At the sight of Lahabrea's exhaustion, though, she first extends a hand, pushing through her hesitation, to place it over his in a gesture of comfort, transferring onto him the strange energy they otherworlders need to not to stone here. Come to think, was he in danger of that, having sequestered himself away in the library for so long?]
You don't have to speak more on it now if it's too painful. I... I wish I knew a way out of your situation, but...
[Needless to say, it's far beyond her scope of influence. That said, there may be options for Lahabrea as an individual. Another anonymous person who responded to Frieda's network post mentioned wanting to stay on Ellipsa forever, having nothing left to return to back home. But she has a feeling that Lahabrea, much like herself, feels too strong a sense of duty to consider that possibility.]
Hate is poison. [Lahabrea mutters out loud, his eyes still closed.] It gradually poisons the soul, destroying the victim's sense of morality and logic. It is a poison that will not stop until the host dies.
[His eyes flutter open slowly, their once brilliant red glow faded with exhaustion.]
The only way to counteract such a poison is to avoid being poisoned in the first place.
[However, this is easier said than done for Lahabrea. His thoughts are not solely focused on Etheirys' demise. While his son and he had a very rocky relationship, knowing that Erichthonios is long dead hurts him far deeper than any wound. It's the reason Lahabrea spent weeks combing through every hall of the Amberfall Library in search of answers. Guilt over his son's death is driving him insane. He hides this from Frieda out of fear of being judged. A leader like him does not have the time to grieve. He must work to ensure that the bleak future he witnessed does not come to pass while the opportunity remains.
Lahabrea lets out a quiet hum as he feels something press against his hand, causing a strange sensation within him. Is this comfort? It's been a long time since he felt anything close to comfort. It feels strange, even foreign. Perhaps it has something to do with the strange magic pulsating between them. This realm's magic is strikingly similar to that of Etheirys while also being very different.]
I apologize for burdening you with my troubles, Frieda. [He mutters quietly out of embarrassment.] Mayhap my self-imposed isolation has made me too eager speak. I wish not to burden you any further, especially since I know my story will only end in death.
[After some hesitation, Lahabrea reaches over with his other hand and gently pats Frieda's.]
Nevertheless, I thank you for allowing me to speak.
[Hate is poison. Isn't that true? Frieda's ancestors treated those they subjugated with such disdain and disregard that murder, torture, and all other sorts of violence were mere games for them, the conquered nothing but expendables. When King Karl eventually took the throne and put a stop to all that, ashamed of his nation's history, he resolved to accept the world's hate for his people's countless crimes. That same acceptance was passed down to Frieda, and while the revelation of her future still pains her greatly, she knows that resisting it would mean to resist a just retribution.
Without knowing of Lahabrea's grief for his son she, too, feels ashamed for grappling with her personal loss when her whole world will be fighting to rid itself of her monstrous people. She gently shakes her head at his apology.]
You're not burdening me. I'm glad you told me about what happened to your world.
[It makes her feel less alone in her dilemma, and even if it's painful to hear of such horrifying events, all the less would she want Lahabrea to keep them locked in his chest. She's sure that keeping such things to oneself would be unbearable.
Their tea and croissants are served (the server had been ready for a while, but didn't want to interrupt what looked like an intense conversation and kept his distance until this moment seemed right). Before anything else is said, Frieda really wants Lahabrea to eat and drink - despite his respect-commanding appearance and aura, on some level he looks thoroughly depleted.]
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no subject
Date: 2024-01-24 02:47 pm (UTC)Despite all the sacrifices made, nothing could stop the inevitable end.
[He looks at the projection he made out of aether and murmurs to himself. By now, curious spectators were observing them, most of them taken aback by this magical spectacle. Lahabrea, though, didn't appear in the slightest bit perturbed. However, his expression shifts into one of wrath when Frieda as of “how” this all came to be.]
That is because we were betrayed by another, one who dared to defy us in moment of need.
[His description of this would-be traitor is tinged with venom and a dark hint of hatred. Who would have the audacity to undermine the hard work of a worthy few? A vile tyrant who believed that her will was superior to the will of the people. His resentment for this brutal usurper knows no bounds, but Hephaistos has yet to act. Though he wishes he could rip her to pieces for ruining all he held dear, even Lahabrea acknowledges that Venat is not solely to blame.]
Even so, I hesitate to inflict unnecessary violence on this traitor despite my lingering contempt for them.
[Lahabrea lets out a heavy sigh as the illusions he constructed evaporate suddenly, leaving behind a path of glittery white shards that eventually fade from existence. He's quite exhausted. Lahabrea sits back in his chair and shuts his eyes, like a tired old man. It is the most humanlike thing he has done thus far.]
I feel like I'm doomed to go insane.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-24 04:10 pm (UTC)One of your own, then..! Who'd hate their own world enough to bring about its destruction after seeing everyone else sacrifice themselves to save it?
[There's something else that still troubles her - Lahabrea said that he and the two other survivors managed to avoid their people's fate by escaping into the Aetherial Sea. While at first she was stunned at the sheer concept of entering a metaphysical realm, she now feels that her real questions hasn't been answered yet: Why were they alone chosen to survive? Or did they choose their survival themselves?
At the sight of Lahabrea's exhaustion, though, she first extends a hand, pushing through her hesitation, to place it over his in a gesture of comfort, transferring onto him the strange energy they otherworlders need to not to stone here. Come to think, was he in danger of that, having sequestered himself away in the library for so long?]
You don't have to speak more on it now if it's too painful. I... I wish I knew a way out of your situation, but...
[Needless to say, it's far beyond her scope of influence. That said, there may be options for Lahabrea as an individual. Another anonymous person who responded to Frieda's network post mentioned wanting to stay on Ellipsa forever, having nothing left to return to back home. But she has a feeling that Lahabrea, much like herself, feels too strong a sense of duty to consider that possibility.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-25 06:41 pm (UTC)[His eyes flutter open slowly, their once brilliant red glow faded with exhaustion.]
The only way to counteract such a poison is to avoid being poisoned in the first place.
[However, this is easier said than done for Lahabrea. His thoughts are not solely focused on Etheirys' demise. While his son and he had a very rocky relationship, knowing that Erichthonios is long dead hurts him far deeper than any wound. It's the reason Lahabrea spent weeks combing through every hall of the Amberfall Library in search of answers. Guilt over his son's death is driving him insane. He hides this from Frieda out of fear of being judged. A leader like him does not have the time to grieve. He must work to ensure that the bleak future he witnessed does not come to pass while the opportunity remains.
Lahabrea lets out a quiet hum as he feels something press against his hand, causing a strange sensation within him. Is this comfort? It's been a long time since he felt anything close to comfort. It feels strange, even foreign. Perhaps it has something to do with the strange magic pulsating between them. This realm's magic is strikingly similar to that of Etheirys while also being very different.]
I apologize for burdening you with my troubles, Frieda. [He mutters quietly out of embarrassment.] Mayhap my self-imposed isolation has made me too eager speak. I wish not to burden you any further, especially since I know my story will only end in death.
[After some hesitation, Lahabrea reaches over with his other hand and gently pats Frieda's.]
Nevertheless, I thank you for allowing me to speak.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-26 12:40 pm (UTC)Without knowing of Lahabrea's grief for his son she, too, feels ashamed for grappling with her personal loss when her whole world will be fighting to rid itself of her monstrous people. She gently shakes her head at his apology.]
You're not burdening me. I'm glad you told me about what happened to your world.
[It makes her feel less alone in her dilemma, and even if it's painful to hear of such horrifying events, all the less would she want Lahabrea to keep them locked in his chest. She's sure that keeping such things to oneself would be unbearable.
Their tea and croissants are served (the server had been ready for a while, but didn't want to interrupt what looked like an intense conversation and kept his distance until this moment seemed right). Before anything else is said, Frieda really wants Lahabrea to eat and drink - despite his respect-commanding appearance and aura, on some level he looks thoroughly depleted.]