Control & Change

Arthur Rowan says, "There you are."

"Arthur, Bei. I'm glad to see the two of you for this very important meeting."

Joy's standing on the very end of the group, her hands coming together with one in Theodore's for support.

"With your current project, Arthur, we have expressed our concerns with each other about - well, not only your decisions and disregard of the outcome of your soldiers, but of the risks you are taking with us and with New Valmasia by crafting this star. A risk you seem to not care about."

Joy's head cants to the side.

"Our men have been pulled through Crafthold's war. They have been injured in this mission of the Necromancer. There has been no reprieve, no recovery, and no word of your care or your concern about their well-being. You further object us underneath the threat of other settlements by parroting the actions that caused discourse and the ultimate destruction of another, former city.

How does this star, furthermore, benefit the growth of Lord Azrael? Did we not agree before that Stella Cruor had pervaded His gift with such an artificial thing?"

There's a clearing of her throat. "Whatever your reasons may be, Arthur. What's clear is that your motives have changed. You do not care for the benefit of your people. You dismiss and discard them like garbage if they cannot appeal to your use. We are not your tools. We are fellow Valmasians with a clear, united goal in mind, and your vision has misaligned with ours. Realign it, or lose support."

(Joy Rowan)

She wasn't really wrong on these things.

Even now, the tainting whisper of Chaos still compelled his mind, almost trying to command Arthur to act a certain way- it is only thanks to Bei he's come back to his senses, at least moderately, and could hold a sensible conversation on a topic like this.

'Don't do this. They're dragging you down.'

A sharp inhale. He stands still, listening to Joy's voice more than he listens to the voice inside, putting his best effort to block it out as much as he can, even if it risks losing something else he's been driven towards for so many years. But, it should be all worth it... right?

"I know what you're talking about."

"I've never intended for it to come this way. It's... somewhat personal, but my mind is not always my own, unfortunately. Least you insist for further explanation right now, I'd rather leave it up to Bei Bei to explain it further in private."

A steady exhale.

'Don't be sorry. They're not worth it.'

The scarlet hues fall behind eyelids just for a moment, before he re-opens his eyes and speaks with what seems to be clarity, even though he seemed... to possess clouded judgment prior to that.

"I still care. I never stopped caring. What I wanted to do overshadowed what I really am, but I'm doing my best to stave it off, or get a grip on it."

"As for the star--"

"There are other things I considered and researched about, though I'm unsure on how to go about this. While it is true that Stella pervaded His gift in such way, ultimately, I planned for another scheme for this star."

"And if you have an entirely different idea or suggestion, I'm open to listening."

'They'll backstab you. You'll see.'

Another inhale.

"I do not intend to lose your support, for as long as there's something I can do about it. Anyhow--"

"Your suggestions?"
(Arthur Rowan)

"Joy is being quite nice about this."

The Valenta chimes in, her amber hues narrowing upon the Rowan in a slow, and thorough attempt at quiet observation. A steady breath is expelled, and it is just like the Valenta to simply pull forth a vision that calls to her.

"I've no intention of partaking in an act that you will consider different based on mere concept, and not fact. Do not condemn the efforts of those that would prefer not to have their time wasted, Arthur..."

She sighs, a smile adorning her once serious expression. There was no need for the weight of her own character to bear down upon those present. So she controls herself, hands upon her hips as she lifts her chin just a bit.

"Her suggestion is we continue to exert our efforts in gathering the pieces to our statue. Dawn stands for that purpose alone. It does not stand for one Adjudicator. Your shard should be reserved for the statue, not for the sake of a star that none desire to see. Ever again."
(Rea Valenta)

Bei Bei whispers: Arthur, please-...Allow me to speak, if possible.

Bei Bei whispers: I have suggestions.

And yet, there's more to it than that. Like a fortress under siege, his mind is constantly bombarded by a protest to the sheer idea that he'd not be that selfish for once and listen to anyone else but himself.

'See? They're turning against you.'
'Leave now.'
'They're doing it all wrong.'

His eyes seem to drift off elsewhere just for a moment, before they get back to Rea with a squint to them. A lot of his willpower is put to the test to not submit, and soon enough, he speaks.

"It was not intended to be a waste of time, no."

"The reason why I considered the Star at all is because Perseus was convinced that it could yet purge the souls of the magical rot Undead suffer from, if handled properly. A different scheme was going to be used, but--"

"I can see where you're going with this."

The last words sting at his mind like a bullet that goes through his head- it only feeds the doubt, what has been consuming him for so long, and it protests again.

'Don't. Do. This.'

"I know."

"Though, as for the statue, was there any further progress down the line on how you plan to make it work?"
(Arthur Rowan)

"My politeness isn't kindness. I respect Arthur as my brother-in-law, and I don't want to upset Theodore," Joy states in a piqued manner, her gaze lowering over towards Rea in her words.

"But, our resolve had been absolute, and Theodore is willing to depart Dawn's Resurgence if things weren't going to change. There are solutions that could bring us all to the fold for an united cause, but we had no idea what Arthur was trying to obtain. The relics are extremely valuable - even having one will grant our city the power of an angel, even sealed, and collecting more will be a bridge to that power. We can't lose sight of that."

Her figure straightens, and she returns her dark gaze back towards the Rowan. At the very least, his confession and his words indicated a shift - one that Bei undoubtly had a hand within, and all the more curious she is for it. Arthur's change is radical, and it doesn't take much for one to notice it.

But, how could she talk? It would be extremely hypocritical. At least he made an effort to care. At least he tried not to slip away.

Joy couldn't quite say the same.

"An explanation is owed, Arthur, so we can see where your vision was going and bring it back to the fold. An archaic, divine power lines in the relics, and I simply don't know how an artificial star that will ruin our lives will match it."

And then, he gives it.

"Very well. To know that this madness was concocted by Crafthold, and not an idea of your origin, makes me a bit more relieved," Joy's words are filled with reprieve. "There is a direct link to the power of Lord Azrael through the collection of his Artifacts. In former Relics, one could speak to Azrael directly and hear how to free him. The armor, however, beholds the power that the Morninglord oncewielded in the battlefield of the Divine Wars. The power he used to resurrect the dead, as well."

Her head cants once more. "If you sought to use a conduit to help morph the transformation of Undead souls into a more pure form, there is no better way than a direct link to the power of the Creator of Necromancy, Arthur. A power that we can not only bring into the city, but with the ample magic of the Spire Shards? Imagine how far we can use it."
(Joy Rowan)

Unknowingly to most, Arthur struggles to not allow the voice he hears to command him, like it did before- it's evident in his breath, how laboured and heavy it becomes, akin to a battle he fought just recently; a bead of sweat rolls by the side of his head, and his eyes become languid, yet somewhat sharp and focused, still.

'How dare you throw away everything we've worked for?'
'You nothing.'
'They're traitorous scum. You should kill them.'
'They're not your friends. They do not stand with you.'

It's a test. A test of his willpower, of his resolve, of his ability to not submit to the compelling power that stirred within, the power that he grasped so early, so foolishly... so unprepared. There's a lot of mastering to do, but for now, all he can do is hold himself together.

And he does his best to do just that.

"I'm... sorry to hear that Theodore was feeling that way. It was never an intention."

Ah, cruel of her. The memories of their fight, of the day when Theodore was almost killed by Arthur's hands flood into his mind- like a parasite, the power within flashes all those images, all those words spoken, all those things done.

'They do not care about you, not at all. They're using you.'

"If there are more relics to be collected, then I suppose we still have adventuring to do, in that case. I'll be sending out the scouts to locate as many relics as we can, but in the meantime--"

"Was there anything that was reported to you, perhaps, or a rumor that you heard?"

He finds at least some relief, a small refuge in her words. To him, they make sense, and the hope of something great being done replaces the ugly voice that twists it all into something wrong and disturbing.

"It sounds like quite a solid plan."
(Arthur Rowan)

"Frankly, to believe anything that Crafthold says is but an invitation to ruin. They offer us nothing more than a place in which we can spend."

The war, was but an example of what it meant to exert oneself for the sake of an unappreciative group. Though, the recognition does little to satisfy the desire of seeking an answer. Somewhere deep down, the Valenta felt as if she's been lied to. That the vision which has filled their minds once before, would be tossed aside as if though irrelevant for something twisted...

Even now, her silent glare speaks volumes, but even the trying matter of her own, volatile emotions could be quelled by that of an ambition that precedes the pleasure which comes with release.

"Here, is where I'll make it known that I seek not to pursue anything but the creation of this statue. It is a beacon of faith to show that we are searching, ever vigilant to the cause."

She sighs.

"As for rumors? No. I've my own opinions, my own facts that I will be pursuing from here on in Agartha. I make it known now, that I will be selective with how I perform, and that I will be traveling to the west, and north to bring a conclusion to something personal..."
(Rea Valenta)

They aren't wrong.

But even what stirred him within was the invitation to ruin. It is more than likely a reason as to why he agreed to this affair in the first place, as to why he considered such option at all, no matter how much it looked... wrong and crooked. There's so much he struggles with, but at least now he's trying to fight it back.

"I don't expect you to pursue anything but that, Rea. I'll..."

There's a pause. It almost becomes visible what Arthur was struggling with this entire time- the reality warps, and something shifts around him, trying to grip the Rowan with all of it might to stop him from uttering the next word.

'We will crush you.'
'We will ruin everything you love.'
'We will take you.'
'You'll regret this dearly.'

A sharp inhale. It takes a good moment for him to collect his resolve to push through such influence, through an invisible force that gripped him like this, to which he finally speaks again.

"...I'll abolish the attempts to create the Star. It was a mistake. I simply wasn't certain what to do."

Something, deep inside pierces his heart, almost as if trying to end him and his attempts to fight back just now. He visibly winces, doing almost impossible to conceal the immeasurable pain that plagues him, but in a moment, he finds...

Clarity. Peace.

"--What of west and north?"

"Is there something you need my... our help with?"
(Arthur Rowan)

Arthur Rowan whispers: --Please grip my hand and hold it. I don't feel well.

"I am pleased to hear about the scounting efforts. Let's turn away from the burdens of cities not our own and focus on our goal. The Order's priesthood will re-double efforts now that we are on the same page. Lady Cho had began the process, and we will now seek a manner in crafting this conduit. Lady Shiva's ideals on the nature of Helheim and the spiritual rituals that binds the soul to the world will be put to use, and Arthur? Trust us, we all will receive what we are searching for, and Lord Azrael's reformation of His gift will be perfected by New Valmasia's hands."

Joy's head piques up at this, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "We will do what Valmasia could not. This has been my intention since taking the Priesthood. My sworn duty to our city."

The questions about rumors, too, narrows her eyes at such. "I've heard no rumors, and I've received no reports. Everything I've came to you about? I've witnessed with my own eyes. What I wish is that you take your cares a step further. We have to go to Crafthold to fix Theodore's face, and after hearing this farfetched idea of theirs, I'm inclined to seek help elsewhere. We need our own Alchemists."

Her throat clears, half-gloved hands reforming back before her.

"Rea, Theodore, and I are in agreement with this. Our efforts will be focused completely on the re-creation of Lord Azrael's statue. I will craft the blueprints that I made for Lady Shiva's soul conduit now to fit your plans, and you have nothing to fear. We will see your vision of Undead come true. That's all I have."
(Joy Rowan)


 She learns carefully, her lithe frame pressing lightly against the form of the Rowan- her hand holding onto his own as she leans carefully, whispering.
(Bei Bei)

Bei Bei whispers: It's okay-...We can talk when we go home. It'll be fine there.

"Do not fret, my troubles are my own. I've no need for assistance, no need for prying eyes to be falling upon all the decisions that seek to catch up with me."

She chuckles, and where as he is gripped by the plague of a power well known to her, she does not see anything more than the signs displayed prior. The foundations are shaken, and perhaps he is resisting. However, the difference between them is night and day, where as the Rowan has taken responsibility, and she...

Simply indulgies in the fact that there is none. There is not a single soul worth stopping for.

"Things involving Elren, that I wish to ask him, and the Reveler, because he is an enigma."

Her brows furrow, of course she'd been thinking long and hard about seeing just where her aggressions would take her.

"I've strength to amass as a result, so perhaps I'm just a shark in the water, searching for blood."

Her arms once again relax at her sides, posture reserved now that they were coming to an understanding. She could have further questioned just where this would all take them, but it seemed that the Valenta was content with surprises.
(Rea Valenta)

Exhausted.

The clarity and peace were found at last, even if temporary, but there's just so much that was taken from him as result; pain, energy and his mind, all were used up as resources in order to come at terms with doing things the other way other than his own.

But it's probably worth it.

"That's good, and--"

"Yes... Theodore needs to recover. He's hurt quite badly, last I've seen him."

He pauses. How could he not notice that before? How could he not notice that his own blood, his own brother, suffered like this? The more he reflects on the amount of influence that this parasite had over him, the bigger his anger grows.

And there's another fire, different. Violence tampered with cold fury, unyielding nature mixed with the cunning mind.

In his book, that's just another stage of growth of overcoming the imperfections that cause him ill and wrong. Maybe one day he'll become something any soul would be willing to follow- alas, for now, the dream is far.

"Joy? Please tell Theodore that I'm glad he's still with us, and that I wish him quick recovery."

"And Rea-"

His scarlet hues turn to another Chaos magi; he senses the indulgence, one that he's fallen into- all that started with desire ended up with him almost slipping, once and forever. He decides to warn her.

"There's nothing wrong with getting help."

"Don't pursue Elren or Reveler alone, especially in the middle of the place where Vampires reside or amidst Gehenna. But... I'm certain that you already know that."

No, she doesn't. That's why he warns her. He knows just how far the passion, desire and indulgence can take you.
(Arthur Rowan)

"I will. It will heal wounds made from your previous disregard. He will be happy to have his brother back."

Joy's part in the meeting was done. Now, she had to connect the dots in ways that would greater extend the reach of Azraelic power that they were to garner. However, wasn't that the duty of the Priests and Priestesses? To help carve paths that would restore the Morninglord's influence upon Agartha?

A refortification of corrupt souls through a divine conduit. How could it be any less perfect?

"My time will be full, now. I will meet with Lady Cho and Lord Dylerun for the current process of the statue's creation, and I will find proper ties to link the piece we have now to the experimental stages of soul purification. Maybe request some notes from the motherland, if they will answer letters, hmmn…"

By far, she is most excited of what was to come.

"When we are to go for the next relic, I will be there. It will be quicker if we pull away from the matters of the other cities and focus our adventuring efforts. I leave those things up to you, however, Adjudicator."

A quick bow, before she awaits the retreat of all.

and now vicki has to go mom, afk
(Joy Rowan)

It seems that everything is back on track, and while she is incapable of observing his inner-turmoil, she is sure that one must face their devils in a fashion unheard to most.. This is the sacrifice they made in order to acquire a sense of purpose, and in turn strength. The threat of being lost, ever apparent.

"Do not fret, I am by no means incompetent enough so as to readily dive into the horde. I only wish to see where my ambitions have taken me. I wish to truly revel in the height of what my soul has to offer."

Liar. But was truth a necessity when Agartha remains so fickle.

"Our visions will become a reality through the Morninglord. All it takes is necessary sacrifice. But first... comes the answers I have in regard to myself, and those that have deceived me. I will be returning daily, I assure you."

She waves her hand, so as to dismiss his worry.

"Am I not an honest character?" She adds in inquiry, her tone playful despite the seriousness of such an announcement.
(Rea Valenta)

There's so many wrongs that had to be fixed.

But at least, this was the beginning of something better, of something that would actually unite Valmasia under a proper goal that they all would pursue- it's something that he needs to encourage and allow to grow even further, yet--

-- there are also factors such as what Rea does, or rather, what she wants to do.

"Just..."

"Do remember that I have no peaceful intention with the Vampires or Gehennans. As a matter of fact, that intention is soon to... bloom into something more."

"I don't want you to get lost in searching for what you want. Remember to be careful."

There's not much else to be said. Now that the matters were settled, he turns to the exit, giving a last sentence.

"I trust that all will turn out to be good. Farewell."
(Arthur Rowan)