001 [Video]

[brat_from_hell]

(ooc: Blue = Phibrizzo & Purple = Xellos)

[Phibrizzo read over the Guide very carefully in his journal, and after finding Xellos was here as well, he went over it again and insisted that Xellos do the same. This world is quite different from the one that they came from. The substantial reduction in power is concerning, but what's utterly baffling is the way death works (or rather doesn't work) here. Being here is a punishment from the Lord of Nightmares, Phibrizzo is sure, and he's wondering if he's being tasked with fixing death in this little enclosure.

With his powers substantially reduced, even. Some aspects of them are at about half of what he's accustomed to, but his control over death and the afterlife has waned far more than that. He's taken care to read over everything carefully before finally turning on the video feed - and how strange is this little book?

When he flips it on, everyone will see a small dark haired boy of no more than eight years old, and a man with purple hair and his eyes shut in a cheerfully calm expression.]

Hi Luceti! My name is Phibrizzo, and this is Xellos. He's a priest. Anyway...I'm curious. Is it true that people get resurrected here if they die? Back home, there's magic that can save a severely wounded person, or if you call on the power of Lord Hellmaster, there's other things you can do to keep a person from dying...but I've never heard of total resurrection. That's just a made-up story, right?

[It's likely not, but he's looking for confirmation from people who have actually died. He glances over at Xellos to see if Xellos has anything else he'd like to inquire about.]

[ There is a little wave from Xellos as he maintains his calm smile]

Hello everyone, as Phibrizzo mentioned, my name is Xellos. I am a bit curious myself about some of these filial spirits, how many people have actually met them and made some sort of connection? Any input would be greatly appreciated to either of our questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

[He gives a little nod to Phibrizzo and goes back to his laid back posture. If there was anything else to add, Phibrizzo would think of it]

Just one more thing!  Does anybody know why they put wings on everyone's backs?  It's kind of weird.

[More like Phibrizzo doesn't like the idea of having such a vulnerable point on his back, especially when his power is already reduced.  But he might as well inquire if there's some purpose to them.]

Comments

[brat_from_hell]

[He listens for the confirmation. It's the same information that's in the guide, but having someone who's lived here for a while confirm it is good. Phibrizzo doesn't even have to fake the startled expression on his face when the Third Party come up.]

Oh yeah, I remember reading about them! Do they think the planet is a god or something?

[stilldontgotit]

Maybe. From what I remember, it had something to do with some big plan-- a "special hour," but everything else is kind of vague. All word of mouth from a guy who isn't even here anymore.

[So he breathes out a sigh and shakes his head. Not much goo that info does them beyond fueling speculation.]

[brat_from_hell]

...that's a really stupid reason to sacrifice people. They don't even have any idea if it's going to achieve anything.

[stilldontgotit]

Like they care. Sometimes people get so convinced they're on the right track, that they'll believe even the most unlikely possibilities. Call it wishful thinking or call it blind faith, but I doubt they'll budge on this one.

[brat_from_hell]

Do they have a leader?

[stilldontgotit]

Well, there's this guy called the General. If he's not their leader, he's definitely up there.

[He'd leave it at that, but given what happened with Luceti Valley... Sigh. Of course it's not that simple.]

Some of them are working with this ex-Malnosso named Count Zompano. Don't know if they're on the same side, but they trapped us all in this shift that made us think we were all born here. Made us worship the Count, and if things had gone a little differently, we'd probably still be caught up in that nightmare.

[brat_from_hell]

[All of this is very good to know - and it helps that they're discussing this where Xellos can see. He and Xellos can confer about it in private later. For now, he'll take whatever opportunities he can get to get information.]

Shifts sound really scary! They can make you totally forget your old life?

[He's playing up his child persona a bit, but that degree of memory tampering over such a large group of people doesn't sound like power any mortal should reasonably be capable of...]

Is Zompano even human?

[stilldontgotit]

[There's no sense sugarcoating the issue. When Riku speaks again, it's with a firm tone, one carrying no hints of sarcasm or jest.]

Shifts can do anything. Rewrite your memories, change your personality altogether... It's a mixed bag. Sometimes they change our bodies, but I've seen plenty of cases where they mess with our minds.

And it's not just Zompano. The Malnosso do it all the time, claiming it's for our best interest. That it's our ticket home.

[brat_from_hell]

...do they think we're all stupid or something? "Here, let me experiment on you. It's for your own good."

[stilldontgotit]

Some of them actually believe it. What I don't get is how experiments that make people prance around like princesses are supposed to open a door back home. And yeah, that's actually happened before.

[brat_from_hell]

Who believes it? The Malnosso, or some of the people here?

[stilldontgotit]

I'd say it's a mix of both.

[And at that he pinches the bridge of his nose. It's easy enough to see why some of the villagers would buy into it. Some people are just idealistic and want to see the best in people. But for people in the Organization itself...]

There's this intern guy who used the journals a while back, and with the way he talked, it sounded like some people see joining the Malnosso as an honor. Kinda crazy if you as me.

[brat_from_hell]

Well, I guess it'd sort of count as a privilege to be there rather than stuck in here...

[Especially if he could get his full power back. He doesn't like being weaker here.]

[that_is_asecret]

[Xellos will chime in a little here]

Most concerning to be sure. Although claiming for the best interest is something that isn't new for any organization really.

[brat_from_hell]

It's probably the most far-fetched, though.

[that_is_asecret]

Mmmmmm, quite possibly.

[brat_from_hell]

I can't think of too many people who'd believe that having their personality or memories changed would be in their best interest.

[that_is_asecret]

I can think of a couple of individuals who could benefit from a personality change though.

[brat_from_hell]

Just a couple of them, Xellos?

[that_is_asecret]

Well Gaav certainly could have used a few personality tweaks.

[brat_from_hell]

Definitely. Although I don't know if I'd want to see him prancing around like a princess.

[Hint: if Gaav was ever brought here? Yes he would. Especially until he fixed up death and managed to make it permanent. He'd like all the humiliating things ever to happen to his traitor brother if he couldn't kill him outright.]

[stilldontgotit]

Oh yeah. The last Organization I dealt with made the same excuses, and they went even further by throwing the worlds out of whack.

Point is, I wouldn't trust them, even if they do offer perks like rewards for being their guinea pigs.

[that_is_asecret]

Trust is something that shouldn't be given out easily anyway.

[stilldontgotit]

Of course not. Do that, and people will walk all over you.

[Riku knows from experience, even if he didn't exactly trust Maleficent. The fact is, there are manipulative people out there who prey on the naive.]

The only upside's that most of their experiments wear off after a week. Sometimes they're more annoying than scarring, but you can never really tell until you're smack dab in the middle of one.

[that_is_asecret]

That is quite talented of them. To be able to render individuals unable to sense a change so drastic.