001 ♁ video

[terrot]

[ the video opens on a table, spread with long cards, most of them face-down. the one showing is xvi, the tower. the camera pans out, a little jittery, to show physis sitting at her card table, turned to the side in agitation. blue is knelt on the floor beside her, glancing up at her with concern.

it was almost like it's all happening again, but this time she can't be quiet about it. she doesn't know the initiative as well, she can't really trust their efficiency in the face of something like this. the mu were always mobile, the moment they knew their location was compromised, they would find another one. that wasn't the case in exsilium, and the warning was necessary. ]

To those who don't know me, my name is Physis. I have the [ gift? not hardly. ] ability of foresight, clairvoyance.

We've made ourselves known, acted openly against our enemy, and they are preparing to make a retaliation. We are to be an example of how they retain their power, I have seen it.

Does anyone know what the Black Code entails?

Comments

[firstroar]

[he squeezes her hand.]

We won't know until the time itself is come. Your visions give us what we need to begin to move, but the path itself is still not wholly known. [he stops, breathing for a moment, eyes closed.]

But where we must go...I don't know. I don't know the lengths that can even be taken...

[terrot]

[ she almost withdraws her hand just out of a sort of reflex, but doesn't. she grips her shoulder with her other hand, tucking her chin against her sternum. she feels cold all over. ]

But if somewhere can't be found... I don't know what's ahead. I can't see beyond this, I don't know how to guide us.

[firstroar]

[her chill spurs him to lift up out of his slouch at her side, drawing against her, head against her shoulder.]

You've done so well so far, Physis. It's alright. I don't have answers for you, I... [a breath, closing his eyes.]

We must believe in the others here. And if it's not enough...if the worst comes to pass...I'll still be here. I won't leave you alone again.

[terrot]

I don't know what I can believe in anymore, outside of you. [ it's hard to admit, but after everything that's happened in the last month, there are so few things she can really be sure of here. but one thing is that he will never give up while he still breaths, and she wonders how selfishly it is that she hopes that he continues on for long past that. ]

I...I've already proven to be compromised once, and...I'm afraid we can't expect anything from the Initiative. What if everyone here is left in the same position?

[firstroar]

[he's never had all the answers – it's part of why he'd grown so dependent on Physis' foresight, after all. but even so. he wants to give her something substantial to hold onto in the face of such despair.

it means, as before, he must push down his own fears and doubts and become the canvas for hers. it's not difficult to do, and really, as little as he can do now, that something is significant.

he slows his breath and consciously sets it to a steadier rhythm, listening for the pace of her heartbeat.]

We won't know for certain until all comes to pass. Where our would-be generals may stumble, those among us from worlds away, facing struggles as dire as this or worse...already those voices are sounding up, aren't they?

[terrot]

[ she takes that moment for a deep breath, trying to collect herself. the whole thing leaves her a little ashamed, she's supposed to take things better than this. to think clearly to find a way to safety. ]

I've been hearing quiet murmurs throughout this month, even before...all of this. [ and some of them may been her own. ] The residents here aren't the only ones who have grown dissatisfied with the Initiative's approach.

[firstroar]

No, they aren't.

[his eyes open partway, looking for and seeing nothing. his breathing falls into pace with hers easily enough, still drawn against her.]

This danger you've foreseen...we won't be the only ones stirring.

[terrot]

We will all be caught in the wake of this. I doubt that anyone shouldn't be stirred by that.

[firstroar]

It will be a string of thoughts and actions far more dense than any one vision can navigate. I can't believe it will all be for naught.

Please, don't believe that, either.

[terrot]

You're right, I shouldn't. [ but that doesn't make it easy. doom hanging overhead is always difficult to not despair when it will be such a challenge to get out from under it. ]

They will need our thoughts and actions as well to have a better chance at success.

[firstroar]

That's right... [he breathes out slower on that last word; a lot of the dread has drained out of his limbs.] If that becomes all we can give, there must be nothing less than our greatest efforts to support everyone here. For their sakes as much as our own.

[terrot]

And maybe...with all of that combined, we can find a better ending than the one laid before us.