lingeringhope | ic inbox

[Much like a nobleman petitioning a king, Henry speaks formally, his tone serious and even, though it retains a touch of his charactistic sharpness.]

Hope. I ask permission to post a guard at your temple until this current threat has passed. Should someone achieve the Null’s weapon, your temple remains the foremost place to attempt to coax you to manifest. A false petition, innocent lives sacrificed at your altar, desecration of the temple itself... let us deter such ploys.

[Hm. He's both disappointed by that answer, because he'd like to be able to help, and also a little relieved because he's also not excited about the plan he'd been discussing with Cashmere.]

Could you um, tell me anything about like, what it is or how it works? I get if you don't want a bunch of people knowing, or even like, anyone, but if we understand how the weapons work maybe one of us would know something you don't about how to counteract them.

If they've already brought it here, then they have a way of bringing things into the city that we don't know about. But no one has actually seen this weapon yet?

[He would like to believe that the Null are lying.]

I don't want any of you to die.

No. The Null are only willing to reveal it to the people who kill at least one person on their list.

[Hence the problem.]

They did clarify that only one was required, though. They are prepared for the possibility of deception, and by putting ourselves at risk, they believe it is a test of our loyalty and willingness to be cooperative.

[She frowns. This is bad, and she needs to make Hope understand the underlying part of just why it's so bad.]

If they are able to transport things here, Hope...that means they are able to track our location and are likely preparing for an attack. I'm not familiar enough with them to guess at how soon that might be, but I think you should be very careful about who you reveal yourself to going forward.

Every little bit helps. If you can bring any hope to others, or to yourself, it will help me.

[He smiles, surprised.]

I don't believe I have been anyone's favorite. Thank you for saying so.

Really? But you're so nice and you listen so much!

[How can Hope not be a favorite of many? Hayden truly doesn't understand?]

I'll do that all the time every day! That way you can be the greatest! The future will be amazing and good things will happen!

[You better be slurping up that delicious hope, mister, cause Lup worked her incorporeal ass off for over a week to make it happen.]

There! We good or what, dude?

Of course you have permission. However, please ask them to be careful. I don't want anyone to be injured, or worse, because of this.

Anything's better than nothin' when you've got all kinds of crazy stuff happening around you. I think- I think I can take what ya got and make it what I'm lookin' for. That's what like, half the spells in the world are made to do anyway!

[ It's more like all the spells. Every spell. That's. What they're for... ]

I am afraid I don't know much about the science of the weapons they used, but they made it impossible for us to hold ourselves together. Those of us who died were - torn apart, I suppose is the best description. We are not made of flesh and bone, like you are, so perhaps their weapons emit energy waves of some kind?

[He doesn't really like talking about this, and also doesn't really know much.]

It was very painful.

I am already trying to be careful. However, I can't simply stay hidden away - especially since the Null have wanted me dead since the beginning. If I hid because of that, I would not be able to do anything. I am trying to take care, however.

[It's not an easy situation - there's no easy solution.]

We try to stay prepared in case of another attack. We try to collect power for that possibility, despite your general objections to it.

[He's... Sorry he asked, honestly, aside from that it's useful to know, and grimaces in sympathy.]

Yeah, that sounds... Not good, sorry. If it's okay with you, I can like, see if I can find someone who I'm sure is on your side but has more scientific knowledge than me; I mean, I think you're right in that it's some sort of energy thing, and I have an idea of what might work, but I was a computer science major and not like, a physicist.

[But he knows there are scientists in Hadriel with a lot more expertise, and two of them--one in particular--he's pretty sure are on the gods' side. One of them might have a better idea of how it might work based on that description, assuming physics here is even the same as it is in his world.

And okay, all of that said--]

So uh, I also assume by all of this that like, you would so not be on board with me and Cashmere working out a murder plan so she can get one of the weapons.

I suggested having a magical construct of yourself crafted before. This would be a good time to make use of it. I can tell you who replied publicly to the Null and sounded interested in their offer, but it is entirely possible someone sent them messages privately.

[She can respect Hope wanting to be brave and his determination to carry on as he always has, but the fact remains that he must be protected and that he is not a warrior.]

My objection is not to you collecting power. You need to eat just as we do. I object to some of the methods used to collect the power.

[But, on that point, she can concede that the gods have a more pressing need to strengthen themselves.]

The dreams were a good balance of giving all of you power without harming us. Enough people were furious at the Null putting children on their list of people to kill that I imagine Rage benefitted.

I believe that many do not think I am nice at all.

[And they're... not wrong.]

But I am pleased that you think so. Your help is greatly appreciated. I think that you will find it very easy to bring hope to others.

[It's a good thing that Hayden has really, really low standards.]

I will do my most best! And then everyone will understand why you're so good! Do you need reports or are you able to just tell when things are being the way that they should be?

[He's gonna do a really good job no matter what.]

Yes. What do you want your body to look like?

[oh no, what amazing possibilities...]

Just like what I had before this. Maybe a nice manicure if you’re feeling generous. Need a pic or do you got it?

It's possible. However, it would be a significant power drain, and we need all the power we have right now. What can you offer in return for this?

I am not sure I would trust many people with that information. There are enough of you that want us dead - it would not be impossible to create other weapons that do the same thing.

[So he is understandably cautious.]

And you're correct. I don't want either of you injured or killed for something like that.

That is something to consider, in any case. And while I believe we already know who expressed interest, I would like your observations as well.

[The more the better.]

Yes, Rage was strengthened. The dreams helped us as well. We will need more, but it's a start.

I'm not sure what the safest way is to contact you. Is there even a safe way to contact you? That doesn't put you at risk?

Anyway, I need an inhaler. One of the kids that came through the Door needs it. Can we make an exchange?

Yeah, I get it. I just um... I'd just hate for like, there to be some easy way to counteract them that you guys don't know about since you're not as big on technology.

[And okay, duly noted on the last part. He'll have to talk to Cashmere.]

Ohhh, barter system, huh? [ Classic. ] Well, I hate to open negotiations on a negative, but I do have to keep my good eye. Let's leave eyeballs off the table.

I will feel it when people experience hope. You don't need to report anything, though of course you are welcome here anytime you like.

[Considering the gods have said that they can't see the Null's posts, she's doubting Hope knows everyone who expressed interest. Private messages are possible, after all, and she can't see those. So all that can be ruled out for sure are the people on the list, and anyone else who may have contacted Hope to play the part of double agent as she did. But there's also the possibility that some may really go through with it.]

Of the people who replied where everyone not on the list can see...I would say that Hux is the most likely to take them up on their offer. He once bragged about creating a weapon that destroyed five planets. A weapon that could kill a god would be of great interest to him, and I doubt he would hesitate to take a life to get it.

[In fact, she'd be shocked if he did hesitate.]

Unless they have been in contact with you about all of this as I have, I would suggest being wary of anyone not on the Null's hit list. Send out a magical construct to speak with them.

[She has a handwritten note on a piece of paper that she passes over.]

This is the most up to date list. Also, when I asked if two weeks was an acceptable time frame to decide whether I wanted an alliance or neutrality, the Null confirmed two weeks was acceptable. So you have that much time to prepare, at least.

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