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[ For Kaeya, communion remains an incredibly difficult way to reach out to someone, if only because of how little control he has over what filters through sometimes. It's clear once Rosaria accepts the connection that something weighs heavily on his mind, but he starts out with the basics first: ]
Rosaria? Are you busy?
[ Not that he has any idea whether or not Rosaria has been brief on the basics of Communion, but there's only one way to find out. ]
Rosaria? Are you busy?
[ Not that he has any idea whether or not Rosaria has been brief on the basics of Communion, but there's only one way to find out. ]
[ So this is what communion feels like. She is instantly not a fan of having someone else's voice inside her head, even if Kaeya's is not all that bothersome. ]
It's a bit soon for you to be calling in favors, isn't it?
[ But no, she's not actually busy due to having no real job yet... ]
What do you want?
It's a bit soon for you to be calling in favors, isn't it?
[ But no, she's not actually busy due to having no real job yet... ]
What do you want?
It's not a favour. I overheard something interesting, and I'd like to hear your opinion of it.
[ Whatever it is, it's something juicy. Probably. ]
Are you still in Highstorm? Come meet me here.
[ Soon after, there will be a brief flash of a house in one of the lesser populated areas of the island. He doesn't even know where to start, but at least he'll have the time to figure that out while waiting for Rosaria. ]
[ Whatever it is, it's something juicy. Probably. ]
Are you still in Highstorm? Come meet me here.
[ Soon after, there will be a brief flash of a house in one of the lesser populated areas of the island. He doesn't even know where to start, but at least he'll have the time to figure that out while waiting for Rosaria. ]
Why would you assume I even left?
[ It's cozy under the perpetual moon, and there's only so far she can manage to get out of the city on foot before exhaustion catches up to her. Either way, deep curiosity makes her quickly seek out the place Kaeya's currently situated in, recalling it well enough from one of her many trips around the city.
She slows down once she spots Kaey, waiting for her in a desolate area, well out of earshot of anyone else. ]
What is it you couldn't tell me over– [ She makes a vague gesture to her head. She's still not sure what to call it. ]
[ It's cozy under the perpetual moon, and there's only so far she can manage to get out of the city on foot before exhaustion catches up to her. Either way, deep curiosity makes her quickly seek out the place Kaeya's currently situated in, recalling it well enough from one of her many trips around the city.
She slows down once she spots Kaey, waiting for her in a desolate area, well out of earshot of anyone else. ]
What is it you couldn't tell me over– [ She makes a vague gesture to her head. She's still not sure what to call it. ]
[ Why would he assume that Rosaria left, indeed. It would make sense that she'd prefer the perpetual moonlight, much like someone he knows, but still... It was a decent filler question while he tried to organize his thoughts. ]
Communion? It broadcasts every single one of our thoughts, oftentimes unfiltered. I figured I would spare you from that.
[ Even if it had been brief, Rosaria probably felt the multitude of things that Kaeya tried to hold back. Then again, he's always been a secretive man so maybe she'll also understand why he doesn't prefer that method of communication.
Anyway. Time to get down to it. ]
We have Shards, you and I; that isn't so strange. [ After all, they were plucked away from their world and brought to Kenos, saved from Oblivion by Zenith's Matron. ] What I didn't realize is how uncommon it is for those who are born here to not have Shards.
[ Then, his voice dips lower, quieter. It wouldn't matter since this area should be devoid of others, but it never hurts to be too careful. ]
... But they can get one.
[ It still boggles his mind thinking about how such a thing is possible. How can a Shard — a physical, tangible representation of one's soul — manifest like that? ]
Communion? It broadcasts every single one of our thoughts, oftentimes unfiltered. I figured I would spare you from that.
[ Even if it had been brief, Rosaria probably felt the multitude of things that Kaeya tried to hold back. Then again, he's always been a secretive man so maybe she'll also understand why he doesn't prefer that method of communication.
Anyway. Time to get down to it. ]
We have Shards, you and I; that isn't so strange. [ After all, they were plucked away from their world and brought to Kenos, saved from Oblivion by Zenith's Matron. ] What I didn't realize is how uncommon it is for those who are born here to not have Shards.
[ Then, his voice dips lower, quieter. It wouldn't matter since this area should be devoid of others, but it never hurts to be too careful. ]
... But they can get one.
[ It still boggles his mind thinking about how such a thing is possible. How can a Shard — a physical, tangible representation of one's soul — manifest like that? ]
Even if you spare me from it, someone else will be louder in your place.
[ That's just the nature of this weird hive mind they all have going, but she also knows Kaeya is a private sort. In spite of what he'd shared already, he likely doesn't want to put all his cards on the table –so to speak.
Setting that matter aside, she does listen. Her awareness of her shard had taken a while to manifest, but it had become an unquestionable fact after she had spoken to others who experienced the same world as Kaeya and who had been in this one longer. She's not even sure if she could describe herself as fully alive because of it, especially if she can continue to resurrect so long as the shard remains intact rather than her heart or her brain or any other vital organs. ]
So if they obtain our shards, are they able to keep it and use it themselves? Or do they grow one out of nowhere?
[ She knows exactly which of those two prospects is more alarming, and she's hoping that's not the case. ]
[ That's just the nature of this weird hive mind they all have going, but she also knows Kaeya is a private sort. In spite of what he'd shared already, he likely doesn't want to put all his cards on the table –so to speak.
Setting that matter aside, she does listen. Her awareness of her shard had taken a while to manifest, but it had become an unquestionable fact after she had spoken to others who experienced the same world as Kaeya and who had been in this one longer. She's not even sure if she could describe herself as fully alive because of it, especially if she can continue to resurrect so long as the shard remains intact rather than her heart or her brain or any other vital organs. ]
So if they obtain our shards, are they able to keep it and use it themselves? Or do they grow one out of nowhere?
[ She knows exactly which of those two prospects is more alarming, and she's hoping that's not the case. ]
[ Kaeya can think of a few other people who could be much louder in his place, but again, he'll spare her from all that. His usual playful demeanour is gone as he tries to recall what he's learned. At least Rosaria is already considering the same possibilities he has in mind, so that saves him the trouble somewhat. ]
That's what I'd like to find out. I overheard two people discussing a family who made a donation to the Church of Helios, and after that, their child came back as a Shard-bearer.
[ He shakes his head, because he's already thought of the worst. ]
What if this is similar to the Fatui's Delusions? An artificial Shard... or perhaps, your first guess is right. They could be obtaining real Shards — ones that belonged to those who died, much like a Vision who lost its bearer — and they're repurposing them in this manner?
[ She must have heard about the rumours of people attempting to reactive dead Visions. Maybe such a thing is possible here too.
His arms are crossed now as he becomes contemplative. ]
... Remember when you asked me if you think you should join the local church again? Don't join this one, unless you fancy risking it to gather information.
[ He isn't entirely serious about that suggestion. ]
That's what I'd like to find out. I overheard two people discussing a family who made a donation to the Church of Helios, and after that, their child came back as a Shard-bearer.
[ He shakes his head, because he's already thought of the worst. ]
What if this is similar to the Fatui's Delusions? An artificial Shard... or perhaps, your first guess is right. They could be obtaining real Shards — ones that belonged to those who died, much like a Vision who lost its bearer — and they're repurposing them in this manner?
[ She must have heard about the rumours of people attempting to reactive dead Visions. Maybe such a thing is possible here too.
His arms are crossed now as he becomes contemplative. ]
... Remember when you asked me if you think you should join the local church again? Don't join this one, unless you fancy risking it to gather information.
[ He isn't entirely serious about that suggestion. ]
Edited 2022-11-17 04:01 (UTC)
[ It’s a day or so after Rosaria revives that she’ll find herself receiving a request that might be unexpected. Cyrus, the Tribune of Springstar and leader of the Meridian, is requesting Communion. There’s a warmth that comes with the presence gently asking to talk that’s comforting, but there’s an emotion with it that’s hard to miss. He’s feeling guilty.
Does she accept? ]
Does she accept? ]
Peddler?
[ His confusion is genuine, but, no. No, he’s reaching out to her with purpose, so other than reflexively parroting the word, he just moves on. ]
Nothing to sell, promise. It’s… Rosaria, right? [ He’s pretty sure it is, at least, but he wants to confirm all the same. ] I heard that you went to Alenroux. Had some trouble.
[ His confusion is genuine, but, no. No, he’s reaching out to her with purpose, so other than reflexively parroting the word, he just moves on. ]
Nothing to sell, promise. It’s… Rosaria, right? [ He’s pretty sure it is, at least, but he wants to confirm all the same. ] I heard that you went to Alenroux. Had some trouble.
Peddler of fantasies.
[ She's spoken to enough people around Highstorm to know more or less what he'd offered them, and he'd likely spoken to the same to learn her name, so she's not surprised to hear it. ]
Are you looking for information on the creatures that stalk Alenroux?
[ She's spoken to enough people around Highstorm to know more or less what he'd offered them, and he'd likely spoken to the same to learn her name, so she's not surprised to hear it. ]
Are you looking for information on the creatures that stalk Alenroux?
[ There’s a small pang of disappointment as she elaborates, but he lets it go. It’s just the normal disappointment that comes when people don’t believe in what Meridian offers. Besides, not why he’s here. ]
Yeah, I am. At least the one… you ran into. [ There’s a pause, and he offers gently: ] If you’re up for that, anyways. I’m not here to pry or push.
Yeah, I am. At least the one… you ran into. [ There’s a pause, and he offers gently: ] If you’re up for that, anyways. I’m not here to pry or push.
[ She wouldn't be surprised someone would try that with abandoned shards in order to amplify their child's abilities or safeguard them from other harms. Not only children but anyone who may have a need for the power associated with their shards. What's to even stop them from hunting and killing new arrivals to pluck the shards out of their body and re-sell them on the black markets?
Her face twists into a frown as she contemplates it deeper. ]
Gathering information would be the only reason I'd join, but they'd probably keep a close watch over their secrets if they are indeed carrying out questionable activities for the sake of delivering their blessings.
[ She was lucky that Mondstadt sanctioned her investigations and nightly activities; even encouraged them. There's no way she'd be granted that kind of freedom here with those who don't trust her and who may even want to take her shard away. ]
It'd be better to investigate from the outside and see how they're 'creating' these shards. Have you been to the Church of Helios yet?
Her face twists into a frown as she contemplates it deeper. ]
Gathering information would be the only reason I'd join, but they'd probably keep a close watch over their secrets if they are indeed carrying out questionable activities for the sake of delivering their blessings.
[ She was lucky that Mondstadt sanctioned her investigations and nightly activities; even encouraged them. There's no way she'd be granted that kind of freedom here with those who don't trust her and who may even want to take her shard away. ]
It'd be better to investigate from the outside and see how they're 'creating' these shards. Have you been to the Church of Helios yet?
[Some time after they've both revived, Barnaby will send Rosaria a Communion request. It's tentative, as though he half expects it to be rejected, but he still wants to reach out to talk to her nonetheless, after everything they went through together.]
Rosaria?
Rosaria?
[ As always, every time a voice pops in her head, it gives her a bit of a jolt, and she can't help thinking this is strangely convenient. She'd been wondering about him just a second ago. ]
If you're here to offer apologies, I'm not accepting any. You did nothing wrong.
If you're here to offer apologies, I'm not accepting any. You did nothing wrong.
[He's taken aback by the bluntness of her reply, and his silence says plenty in that it was exactly what he was about to do. After that hesitation, he changes tack.]
I won't, then. But at least tell me how you are, now that you've returned.
I won't, then. But at least tell me how you are, now that you've returned.
[ She does owe him for his attempts to rescue her, however little they succeeded, so she doesn't immediately dismiss the question like she normally would. ]
I'm talking to you now, aren't I?
[ Meaning she's alive and in one piece again. ]
I have yet to feel any other side-effects from the death, aside from the usual strange dreams. You?
I'm talking to you now, aren't I?
[ Meaning she's alive and in one piece again. ]
I have yet to feel any other side-effects from the death, aside from the usual strange dreams. You?
Edited 2022-11-23 22:13 (UTC)
I experienced strange dreams as well, but I don't remember most of them. Save for one... Manon approached and spoke to me at the Tree.
[Then he realises she might not know who that refers to, everything had happened so quickly, and what he might have shared via Communion could be different to Rosaria's experiences, so he elaborates.]
He's the one whose Shard we were trying to recover.
[Then he realises she might not know who that refers to, everything had happened so quickly, and what he might have shared via Communion could be different to Rosaria's experiences, so he elaborates.]
He's the one whose Shard we were trying to recover.
[ Rosaria makes a good point, and it's one Kaeya himself has considered too.
There was a split-second where he wondered if it would be worth joining the Meridian just to take it apart from the inside-out, but he doesn't nearly have the same amount of resources and allies here than he did back at Mondstadt. It would be trickier to pull that off, especially when it requires inside information — something he is sorely lacking right now. ]
I plan to make a quick trip to the Church soon enough. See what I can find just by asking the odd question here and there.
[ Oftentimes, people are more likely to share things if their guard is lowered after some casual talk. ]
I'll let you know if I unearth anything interesting.
There was a split-second where he wondered if it would be worth joining the Meridian just to take it apart from the inside-out, but he doesn't nearly have the same amount of resources and allies here than he did back at Mondstadt. It would be trickier to pull that off, especially when it requires inside information — something he is sorely lacking right now. ]
I plan to make a quick trip to the Church soon enough. See what I can find just by asking the odd question here and there.
[ Oftentimes, people are more likely to share things if their guard is lowered after some casual talk. ]
I'll let you know if I unearth anything interesting.
[ That's what she'd been alluding to. She had dismissed the visions earlier, having thought she was the only one who'd seen Manon. Seems like maybe she had really met him. ]
Red hair, one-eyed, carrying a sword? Did anyone recover his shard after we fell?
Red hair, one-eyed, carrying a sword? Did anyone recover his shard after we fell?
[ This is actually a surprising question, and it comes through clearly in Communion. He'd expected her to have questions about Alenroux, but... Well, this works too. ]
They come from the tree you see in Heliopolis. We tap the sap from it and let it dry into a crystal. Polish it, and that's a iliachtida. [ Which is the practical, straight-forward version of what they literally are, and he's not sure that's what she's really curious about. So, he adds: ] Like the tree itself, they're special because they're grown and infused with Meridian's light. Push a little bit of your own Meridian in it, and it'll bridge the gap between its natural light and your soul's light.
They come from the tree you see in Heliopolis. We tap the sap from it and let it dry into a crystal. Polish it, and that's a iliachtida. [ Which is the practical, straight-forward version of what they literally are, and he's not sure that's what she's really curious about. So, he adds: ] Like the tree itself, they're special because they're grown and infused with Meridian's light. Push a little bit of your own Meridian in it, and it'll bridge the gap between its natural light and your soul's light.
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