EQ_Theta

@Blitz Boom The siblings looked on as Elder Zhao shifted her appearance to a longma, a fairly good representation of one at that. Sen, in particular, recalled a previous experience with a changeling hive queen named Cheshire who gave him quite the scare back then when they were at the carnival. This one wasn’t so terrifying now, given the time he spent learning about the abilities of other creatures. Now it could work for Elder Zhao should she wish to move among the longma. However, given the precarious situation they were in, it may be better to have Elder Ghilan be the one to make the trip. “Your illusion is impressive, elder, though it may be better for Elder Ghilan to meet you as you are. It may be more helpful for him to see you as kitsune.” “That, and we’d rather not expose you to unnecessary danger. I’m sure you are capable of defending yourself, but there, you would be our guest. It would reflect poorly on us as your hosts.” Lin stepped into position and began tuning all external stimuli out; she sat and anticipated the possibility of hearing the spirits. It wasn’t something she’d think was possible, but being open to this kind of discovery would make her the envy of her brother. In all honesty, having an aspect that stood out could be both a blessing and a curse. Her situation at the moment was proof of that: being brought back with a new body was necessary to save her life, but it gave her some benefits. Quick travel was something he knew to capitalize on, but on some nights, she wished she was just a normal longma. Simple comforts afforded by a normal body, such as sleep, were easily overlooked, but having that taken away tends to leave an impression. As for Sen, he took Elder Sohe’s words to heart and found some comfort in them. It was true that his talents may lie elsewhere, and speaking to spirits may not be in the metaphorical cards for him. Disappointing it may be, the longma would not let it get the best of him. After that, he looked at Omen, pondering her question. He didn’t seem to mind her looking rather off-putting in these moments and was just appreciative of it. Perhaps having that look staring him in the face as he woke up would still creep him out, but time has given him opportunities to just get used to it. However, some thoughts were more conflicting. Things were rather calm for the moment, but it was enough to get him to think about all the things that were happening now and back home. Turns out that things just keep piling up, and the gravity of all that has and will happen slowly began to gnaw at Sen’s mind. “I’m all right, Omen. I may not have the talent to speak with spirits, but I won’t be upset about it. Sometimes, we just can’t do everything we hope we could do.” *sigh* “Who am I kidding? I’m not entirely okay. I was just thinking about all that’s happened and what we’ll be getting ourselves into… all of that is making me worried. The meeting with the elders is approaching; that has to turn out well, right? We talked to others, heard their thoughts, and figured out how to approach the meeting. It’s just that I’m still afraid that we haven’t done enough. A-and then there’s the threat of… whatever it is… that is coming for the longma… I don’t know if we could find the balance that lets us take those on.” “I suppose I am overthinking all of this, but we’ll just have to take these matters on as they come. How about you? Does all this feel intimidating?” As for Lin, she listened in as the bubble sealed around her. Without outside distractions, she followed Sen’s meditative techniques, passed on to her from their childhood. She didn’t think she’d need to meditate, but her younger self thought it was a nice thing to know about. Now, she was just happy Sen taught it to her. As she continued to sit in silence, the sounds of a breeze blowing by came first, followed by a light buzzing, the kinds of sounds her brother just described earlier. There was also something like faint whispers in the wind, but none of it was decipherable. She continued sitting and tuning in to these sounds in the hopes she could try deciphering them, but there was nothing more in store, just the same sounds. Lin emerged from the bubble looking rather confused despite tempering her expectations. It seemed like even that was more than enough to overcome her controlled approach despite her uncertainty. “I think I am in the same position as my brother; I can’t hear the spirits. Maybe I might have caught something like faint whispering, but I could not understand it. Or maybe I am just deluding myself into thinking I could hear something more than just empty sounds. Elder? Must one clearly hear the spirits speak to know if they have the ability to speak to them? I’m not even sure what to make of my experience in the bubble.”

@Blitz Boom Knowing Elder Ghilan and his approach to leadership, guidance from others is something he’s all too eager to receive, within reason. Though the siblings never thought too much about the matter, one could only guess why he is seeking input from other leaders or those more knowledgeable than him. He once mentioned that he did receive guidance from the local council, but he sounded like he received poor advice, not to mention the subsequent blame game that resulted from said advice. Nothing suggested there was an attempt at sabotage, but for a time, Ghilan felt like he was being set up to fail. Nowadays, he simply makes the best of his situation. “If it is all right with you, maybe we could arrange for Ghilan to visit sometime? He may be busy these days, but he could be open to meeting you when he has time. We’ll still need to let him know, so it’ll probably be a while before we can get back to you on this.” It would be interesting to see this happen, as Ghilan still sees himself as a student. Perhaps one day, there may be an exchange similar to what the kitsune do with their young being sent to Equestria. Though longma traditions were still mostly a kept secret, the young ones may find the old oral traditions passed by the nightly fires to be something of interest. It was difficult to gauge that kind of interest among the young of the villages, but no one can deny that those lessons stuck through many generations. No doubt there was value in those lessons no matter how one looked at them. However, Sen and Lin understood that not everything about the longma needed to change. After all, their experience here proved that the wisdom of the elders and the collective past of the longma had merits. They may have issues with the longma’s way of thinking, but reconciling that with the modern age may be how they could help their kind find balance. Without further delay, the siblings would follow the elders, though Sen would help Lin walk on account of her still rather disoriented vision. She’d still manage to proceed without too much issue aside from the occasional stumble. As they passed through the kitsune’s domain, they couldn’t help but silently admire the sights. This would be something to talk about to the folks back home, but knowing the prevailing attitudes, they’d much rather keep this one to themselves. Still, there was a lot to see and take in that the siblings would keep their attention on the moment and what was to come. Moving forward, Sen and Lin walked with Elder Sohe into the room, vegetation surrounding them. The sight of the globe and the circle caught their eyes. If time and the situation back home would permit, Sen would like to have a kind of private spot for him to meditate, inspired by the proximity to nature and the designs of the kitsune. Then again, it might be a little costly for the longma, as landscapers weren’t a thing back home. Some may even see it as a kind of destruction through the tampering of nature’s design. Only time will tell if this interpretation will remain relevant. With Sen being called in to try first, he smiled and nodded, restraining his enthusiasm and giddiness at the prospect of communing with spirits. It’ll be interesting to see what can become of it if he will discover a new, hidden talent of his. “Thank you again for this opportunity, Elder Sohe. And to the spirits here with us, whether we will be able to speak with each other or not, thank you as well.” The longma took up a spot in the middle of the platform to sit and quietly listen. He closed his eyes and attuned himself to his surroundings in eager anticipation to hear what the spirits in his midst were saying. Sadly, the minutes passed by without any big discoveries. Not one voice could be discerned from the silence, leaving Sen a little disappointed and somewhat dejected. It seemed like if he could hear one spirit talking, it would probably be the one that said he couldn’t hear a thing. “Elder Sohe, I’m not sure I have the talent to hear the spirits. I could only hear a light buzzing, or maybe it was a light gust of wind. I do not doubt the spirits are present with us right now, but I could not hear their voices.” “Are you certain, brother? Maybe you just need another moment to try again.” “I’m sure, but you are welcome to try. Perhaps inhabiting a body forged with magic might give you the ability to hear the spirits?” “We shall see. Elder Sohe? I would like to try and listen.” Lin chuckled at the thought, though it would be surprising if she had the talent. She would take up her position in Sen’s place and try. With Elder Sohe’s permission, Lin would go in without any expectations before trying to listen in on the spirits. To her, if she didn’t expect anything, she would not be disappointed.

@Blitz Boom “I wouldn’t claim to know what the elders think of the situation, only what Elder Ghilan says about the matter. From what I gathered, you and our elders share their views of Ghilan being inexperienced, and Ghilan says as much about himself despite receiving advice from our village’s council. At times, it is difficult to know what the elders from the other villages are like, especially because we don’t meet them; they call us, and many, if not all, longma believe that to be a poor sign of things to come.” “Elder Ghilan seems to be a lot more assertive of himself nowadays, taking charge of matters as if he knew of them more clearly. It wouldn’t hurt to let him know about how he can convince the other elders to take a chance on him. He may be leading our village, but he is actively seeking guidance and new perspectives, so I have confidence in him. “If he were here right now, he would love to speak and learn from you, elders. It wouldn’t be the first time for him, after all.” Sen smiled at the thought, recalling a previous meeting between Ghilan and Rosa. The two hit it off, with the longma elder eager to learn what he can about the outside world. He may be young, but those times spent growing up in a difficult, seemingly oppressive village arising from another’s tragedy were his catalyst. Had times been different, perhaps he wouldn’t have needed to abandon his desire to become a village hunter… Alas, this has become the course of his life, and he would make the most of it, something Sen could sympathize with given his own situation. For the moment, the siblings would turn their focus to the topic of conversation concerning their personal stake in the coming meeting. Having the positivity and hope from Elder Sohe was refreshing and reassuring. Though there was always the chance of things going sour, they hoped things wouldn’t come to that. Sadly, the threat of the unknown entity, or a larger group of them, hung over the longma, and no one knew just when that would come for them. It only made matters more complicated, but they’ll have to take it on as it comes. They had no choice now, and it was only a matter of time. The question now will be how to approach it because even Elder Ghilan would need to know… That said, the more Sen and Lin thought about how the meeting would go, the more they would have to ensure Omen’s safety. Their village may be willing to have her present because of the goodwill she earned after the mess with Solasan, but the same cannot be said for other villages or the meeting itself. Then again, a cautious approach with Omen becoming a link to the outside may already be in place, as the seeds have been planted not too long ago. “We’ll be cautious, though Omen may already have some experience with that. A young woodworker in our village got to see and meet a pony through her, and that happened without any problems. Maybe we lucked out that time, but that gave us a bit of hope that maybe we could show the longma that we don’t have to be so isolated.” “That woodworker was nervous, but he is a nice fellow all things considered. If other longma were a little like him, then maybe they could see giving big changes a chance.” Elder Zhao returned with a scroll, and it was an unusually large one to boot. It definitely caught Sen off-guard, but it was something he was interested in reading. He had a look at the scroll itself, then wondered how he was going to put it away without creasing the parchment. He may not have a saddle bag with him, but he’d rather be extra careful with it. If he could improve his meditations, that would already be a large benefit for him, but the advanced techniques sounded pretty interesting… “Thank you. I’ll be careful with the scroll. Although I’d like to head back to the village to let Elder Ghilan know of what’s going on, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to stay for a while longer. If Lin needs a little more time to rest, then I will stay until she is ready.” “I think there’s still time before we need to go, and you could always just ask Omen to go with you back to the village. But yes, Elder Zhao, we can stay so Elder Sohe can see if we can uh… ‘listen to the voice of the elements,’ as you say.” Lin would need some time to regain her bearings, though she wouldn’t want to overstay her welcome. A few moments to regain some key memories and wait things out for a little while for the throbbing in her head to subside would be her goal. The confusion was already making way to clarity, but the feeling of lightheadedness mixed with the faint sight of things spinning was still apparent, much as she’d tried to ignore it.

@Blitz Boom “I think the elders may call us out on our foolishness; none may enter the ruins, after all. They have their reasons for calling those places taboo, but if there is a threat coming for the longma, I’m certain they’d at least listen. Though I imagine they’d have some words for us about how we should have stayed away. But you are right. The longma will change leaders one day, and I just hope that they may see sense in finding a better way.” “Then it would be best that we follow Elder Sohe’s and Elder Zhao’s advice when dealing with the elders or other matters. The elders should at least hear us out. What other reason would they have to call us and Elder Ghilan if not to speak before them?” “To call us out for venturing into the ruins? Or express their disapproval of Elder Ghilan because they see him stepping up as elder to be some sort of power grab? He said it himself, and he isn’t exactly popular with the elders right now.” It seemed like there was some limit to what Lin could remember. Despite retaining the memories of the more immediate past, as well as some that may be more ingrained into her mind, there were bits and pieces missing that will still need to be filled in from time to time. At the very least, Sen was now aware that he would need to step in and help her out when necessary. It’ll be more complicated when Elder Ghilan discovers that something has changed in Lin, something that wouldn’t inspire confidence. Lin didn’t appear to notice anything off with what she mentioned, though she glanced toward her brother and picked up an odd look from him. It was a strange thing for him, especially when everything appeared to be rather normal just moments ago. Something to talk about in private, or a hint at a more pressing matter? She didn’t push the issue and would leave it to her brother to pursue it when needed. Sen was already deep in thought after the elders responded to his other question. The elders’ responses were similar to something pointed out by Rosa when they discussed the topic before. Finding allies was valuable, especially when there was something to learn from them. Lessons straight from those who can impart them and being convinced of their benefits was probably the way to go; all that needs to happen now is to find the means to open the roads for that kind of opportunity. The longma weren’t exactly making enemies left and right. Their isolationism makes them neutral to everyone. However, some would see allying with creatures like the ponies of Equestria as a double-sided deal that will draw unwanted attention to them. Still, without the elders’ thoughts on the matter, the siblings’ speculation is academic. Inclusive and welcoming may be a good thing, but building alliances may prove more challenging if the other party will eventually need something from the longma. That could prove a more troublesome matter, especially if the longma’s isolationism meant they couldn’t provide something of value. “An exchange of ideas and an opportunity to learn? That sounds wonderful! But I might just be speaking for myself and not for the longma as a whole. Still, being able to make preparations and take what lessons we can from others is something the other elders could get behind.” “It’s going to bring some big changes among the longma, and change that drastic will mean opposition. Having been accustomed to one way of life for so long, it would be difficult to see or imagine anything else. We’ll just need to explain it in such a way that it doesn’t scare or shy them away from wanting to give it a shot.” “It’s definitely something worth thinking about. Thank you, elders, for your perspectives. I hope that would be a convincing start for the elders back home.” It was true that time would be running short, even more so with the siblings expected to be present back home when they were about to travel. Two days wasn’t a long time, depending on how one looked at it, and having to make the trek from the village would take time. Sen would need to place some hope into Lin and Omen, as the task ahead still felt daunting. For now, the matter with the elders would be put on hold for something else the longma were given.” “We’ll take care of this scroll, elder. Reading it would not be a problem... unless there are some ‘big’ words in it. That part might cause some minor issues, but I doubt it will cause setbacks. I admit I am interested in what it says and how it can improve my meditations.”

@Blitz Boom “I hoped others among the longma would see things the way you do, elders, but some are set in their ways. Maybe there is no convincing them, as much as I would like to see them come around to a different perspective. But Lin is right; I really want this to work, so I will work at it, even if it seems impossible. I can’t just turn my back on the longma despite them giving me the one reason why I should have to abandon them. Whatever wrongs they’ve done to me, I just can’t lump them all as a lost cause.” “The same way you’ve refused to forgive your old friend despite him helping us? He’s already doing more than others after he offered to keep the ruins hidden, but from what I remember, you still wouldn’t give him a chance.” “Tch. Don’t remind me. However, I heard what he had to say, and I… may talk with him about it in private. We’ve already come to an understanding about what happened in the past. If you don’t believe me, Omen can vouch; she was there, and if it weren’t for her, I would’ve done something I’d regret for the rest of my life.” Lin paused, taken aback by what Sen just mentioned. He had his reasons for wanting nothing to do with his old friend, Xin, but between this and seeing them acting more amicably with each other, maybe there’s something to this new development. Sen’s somber tone was uncharacteristic, but it seemed he had found a breakthrough. There was just no telling what might become of them, but there was a hint of optimism for the two friends. Perhaps something of their old friendship could be mended. She then turned to the Ki’nathar, initially wondering if she needed to verify her brother’s claims. However, she relented, convinced of the truth of the matter. “Thanks, Omen, for looking out for Sen.” The siblings knew they weren't setting a good example for the others longma, and Elder Ghilan would have his work cut out for him if he were to constantly check on their behavior. All this would take a toll on him under normal circumstances, but it wouldn’t be for now. There was more to worry about, most notably the meeting with the elders. A weight may be lifted if the other elders were to be convinced of what Sen and Lin experienced. Then again, even the siblings would need to do their prep work to ensure the whole event goes well, and that means making the necessary preparations. “We’ve considered what the other elders would be asking us, but I am not sure if experience carries much weight during these kinds of talks. Maybe you could tell us your thoughts and perspectives on something? I’m sure one thing they will ask about is why the longma should be concerned about other creatures. They’ve gone through many years only looking after their own interests without problems. Opening ourselves up may create more problems, and we are very ill-equipped to handle them.” “You mentioned earlier that you send kits to Ponyville. If you do not mind us asking, what purpose does that serve and what could be learned from that?” It was an admittedly odd thing to mention, but Sen wondered if what the kitsune went through could be similar enough to the longma nowadays. Maybe there was something new to be gained from understanding what made the isolated kitsune. Such a lesson could be valuable to the siblings and the rest of the longma in the village. Then again, there was another matter about what the longma could bring to the table, as some other creatures may only look for the advantages of getting to know the longma. The isolationism may not work in the siblings’ favor, but they will consider learning from the experiences of the kitsune to understand how to go about the world and find answers to problems they didn’t think they’d ever encounter. That said, there was also the matter of preparing their own minds for something that could easily take over them if it were to ever come to that. Meditation was something familiar to Sen and Lin, more so for the former despite being a little out of practice. It was the latter part that eluded the siblings: having details from the ruins and knowledge of how the trigger was created. Having some experience with meditation, Sen definitely saw the merits behind it, gladly welcoming anything that could help. “There was very little to learn from the ruins about what the entity that took over Lin does to take control of the longma. However, we would appreciate any help we could get to keep our minds secure from them. If meditation can help, we’d like to learn from you. Maybe we can set aside a little time for that.”

@Blitz Boom “If it is one thing I’ve come to enjoy after living in exile for so long, it’s simple pleasures like sharing meals or drinks with good company. Perhaps when this matter is behind us, when we’ve found the answers, we could visit and tell you about it. Coming from a time when I had nothing to my name, sharing myself and my time with others to show appreciation is about the best I could do for those who showed kindness.” “We still need to focus on the pressing matter, sister. As long as the entity continues to approach the longma and hound us, none of us are safe. And that is before the other thing we need to worry about. Will you be all right when it starts? It’s going to be a lot of talking and arguing, especially when the elders need us to speak up.” “I won’t let this stop me from doing what I can to help. Elder Ghilan is putting his hopes into us, after all.” Lin adjusted herself, sitting up for a brief moment to place one claw on her brother and the other on Omen. “You and Omen speak as best you can, and I will do the same. You know that I am not optimistic about the longma, nor do I have faith that the elders will listen. But you do, brother, and you want this to work, so I will do what I can to help.” Sen smiled and nodded, pleased to hear that even with Lin still piecing her mind together, there were more hints of her fairly distant memories coming to the forefront. That, and her being fairly astute about her thoughts on the matter with the elders and how it contrasts with her brother’s intended goals. Maybe her state of mind isn’t too badly damaged, but that only left Sen wondering about what the entity truly intends for them and the longma as a whole. As Lin took a sip of the water Sen passed to her, he kept to himself for a moment to recall what Elder Zhao mentioned. “Suitable for the tasks of the area….” What if it intended something more than just being a servant? If it is truly aware of who they are now, it might try sabotaging the meeting with the elders. The thought alone had Sen more worried, likely imagining himself already compromised. Then again, the kitsune elders didn’t appear to be worried about that. It was a confident smirk, and all Sen and Lin could do for the moment was to listen, though there was an evident look of confusion on their faces. Something like it happening again wasn’t out of the question but on a much larger scale? The siblings wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if they kept the memories of them being made to do things they would never consider. “If it is anything like the last time something like it happened, it will try one of two things. The first would be to force us to do something we don’t want to do, like attack you while keeping us conscious. Probably an attempt to break our spirit or make us feel guilty.” “The second is to wipe anything resembling ourselves, leave us like husks that will follow any order given without question. That scares me the more I think about it; I cannot imagine that kind of fate for anyone, let alone for myself. Worse, that might tie into what you mentioned about a ‘trigger.’” Lin turned to Elder Sohe, a worried look plastered on her face. The memories of her and Sen being placed under control came flooding back in, hearing only the instructions of whoever held their leash and acting on them. None of that was anywhere near appealing, and she hoped something like it would never happen again. Sen, too, remembers those times, and not fondly at all. The only saving grace for the last time was that Omen had the metaphorical leash. The two siblings knew she was trustworthy, never doing anything that could abuse the kind of power such a leash held. But with someone less scrupulous, he couldn’t even imagine that kind of scenario. The longma still felt his head throbbing, little by little, but the obtrusive thoughts on the matter were more of a concern than something that would pass in time. However, they would need every advantage they could get, and fortunately, Elder Sohe mentioned something that could help. “We… wouldn’t know if the entity has a trigger that could have them worm into mine, Lin’s, or the other longma’s minds. If I may ask, are there any techniques or methods that could let us resist that kind of power? Could something like that eventually make anyone immune to mental manipulation?”

@Blitz Boom Hey there! Just giving a heads up that my response will be delayed for about a day or two because of the holidays here. Though I'll still try to sneak in a response if I get a chance .

@Blitz Boom “If what you say is... that this entity wants the longma, then pair that with the vision of the experiments… There may be truth to what you mentioned about that part. What did it hope to gain by creating us or wanting us under its control? Something feels missing as if there was more to this than what you just saw.” “We didn’t see anything else in your mind, only what that entity wanted to show. If something is missing, it doesn’t want us to know it; all the more reason why we should be careful. That said, Omen and Elder Zhao believe she’s safe if she goes to the ruins. We’ll have to take a chance on that.” “If it’s someone we trust, it’s Omen…. All right. When there’s time to figure things out from those ruins, we’ll see what can be done.” The siblings nodded toward each other, then turned to Omen with a knowing look. Though they both harbored some insecurities and uncertainties, with her going into the ruins again after what happened, they have to believe in the possibility of positive outcomes when it comes to learning more about the ruins. They knew to expect danger, but with brother and sister compromised mentally, they would have to turn to less risky methods. Fortunately, they already had something to work with, and that meant they wouldn’t need to explore the same ruins again, at least to the same degree. Their information only needed verification before they could pursue their best possible lead. Sen had hoped he could find another way to keep the risks lower, but he conceded and silently agreed with the plan. For the moment, Lin would spend some quiet moments in thought, going back to piecing together what happened. Given Sen’s and Omen’s narrations of events, there was now a certain familiarity with them. She may not have lived the events they described, but it felt like she… saw them. Or perhaps the events were a figment of a memory that she can recall, if only partially. Whatever the case, some things were making a little bit of sense. There were fragments of a laboratory, words spoken about the search for perfection, things that she’d ponder upon as more of it opened up to her. What was certain was that she recalls working on opening a sealed door through a rotation puzzle and the abundance of glowing crystals. Those seem to correspond with Omen’s and Sen’s narrations on them restoring her memories. Sen chuckled at the exchange between Omen and Elder Zhao. A moment like this was always something that can help provide some levity in an otherwise tense or difficult moment. Even Lin found herself smiling, bringing back some reminders of days gone by when a similar turn of discussion happened with Rosa. It certainly left her feeling briefly scandalized. As for Sen, he was feeling a little more assured going by Elder Sohe’s description of sake. “I’ve only had a few sips, so I guess that means I’m safe. I wouldn’t know the process of making sake, but it is an interesting drink. Back home, it’s just water and tea, the latter made with dried leaves seeped in water over a fire. The longma grow these plants, plucking their leaves at the right time, yet I still don’t understand how they do it. All I’m certain of is that it’s delicious.” The longma then turned to Elder Zhao following her question; he spent some moments moving some body parts to get a feel of them, but the soreness didn’t seem so evident now. It was a nice feeling, though the headaches didn’t seem to subside just yet. “I’m feeling a little better now, Elder Zhao. I guess speaking with Elder Sohe and Lin got me to forget these pains for a while, though my headaches are still here. Or maybe it's the sake taking effect on me... I believe I can manage the pain, but there is something else. I’m worried that the entity in Lin’s mind is now aware of you when we entered the mindscape. It spoke of taking aspects of different creatures to create a perfect being…” “What if it decides to go after the kitsune or uses the longma to go after other creatures? I… I know I shouldn’t be thinking that way, but I guess I’m just trying to gain some insight. How do we even fight back against something that could worm its way into our minds? Or worse, it might decide to use us to get to you.”

@Blitz Boom “You won’t get an argument from me about that, elder. That place is called taboo for a reason, but when I learned it had something to do with father’s... No, it’s just a bad place, one that needed to be sealed away for good. If whatever got to me already did it once, what’s to stop it from going after other creatures? I can’t in good conscience put Omen, the kitsune, or anyone else at risk. Maybe it’ll be better if no one studies it.” “Sister, whatever it was that got to you, it specifically wanted the longma. When it took over you, it said that ‘they,’ whoever they are, are coming for us. I hate to admit it but we’re targets now, and that means we’ll have to deal with it whether we like it or not.” “Knowing you, brother, you’ll want to keep as many of our folks safe. I hope you realize Omen and Xin were there too; whatever got to me knows about us, and we’ve all got big red marks painted on us now.” Sen didn’t like the implications of what Lin said, even though the latter tried to play it cool. Didn’t seem like it was a good idea in hindsight, but Sen ignored it for now, somewhat satisfied that Lin could still pick up on some of his ways of thinking. Then he realized the latter part of Lin’s reply and had to quickly go over to Omen to quietly explain that part. “Just so you know, Omen, we don’t have actual big red marks on us. But, she’s right; let’s be careful when we decide what to do with the ruins.” The matter of the ruins back home was hopefully settled with Xin sealing off the one they visited. However, there was no doubt more were scattered throughout the forest. In hindsight, it was good that the elders had reason to keep anyone from going there, but one could not help but wonder if they knew something others didn’t know. Did they know more than they let on? Perhaps Ghilan may have some insights on the matter, some knowledge he could have access to as an elder. Then again, this was probably one of the many matters that should be handled delicately. Having a lot on his plate right now means less time to worry or babysit the siblings. The other elders may look upon him less favorably if they knew he wasn’t doing a good enough job running the village. Even he was summoned by them. If anything, he also had troubles of his own. For now, Lin would sit and think about the things she’s heard. Omen’s narration, along with Sen’s additions on the specifics surrounding the laboratory and the experiments that went on within it, still gave her pause. Someone or something claims to have been creating the longma... a product of testing or something more nefarious? If it were true, what was the goal? And who was the "tank-mother?" More questions arose, but none had easy answers. Lin couldn’t shake the thought that she was the product of someone else’s mind, but she was certain that she was herself, with her thoughts and choices being her own. As the recap went on, Sen walked by the refreshments brought in for them. He’d pick some water for Lin, who quietly took a few sips. Anything to help think with a clear mind would be ideal for her. As for him, he’d go for the sake Elder Sohe mentioned. Taking one little sip, he’d swirl the liquid in his mouth, taking in the taste and letting it sit to get a better idea of what was in it. A fruity and sweet taste was dominant, though he’d also notice the aspect Elder Sohe mentioned: a faintly strong taste that he couldn’t put his talon on. No doubt he wasn’t accustomed to light acidic tastes, and it was not quite like apple cider. This one’s got something going on with its floral aroma. “Brother, Omen, please give me a moment. I… just need some time to think about what you said because even after explaining it all, I still find it hard to believe if it is true…” “Of course. Whenever you’re ready.” The longma nodded and turned to the elder, stepping away from Lin for a while to give her a moment. He even passed his drink to Omen in case she’d like to try some; it was definitely something interesting and new, something the folks at home might not be able to conceive. It proved to be a nice enough distraction for the moment, but he knew he would have to broach the other more sensitive topic soon. “If I may ask, elder, is this the drink you mentioned? Sake? I’ve never had anything like it before. What is it made of? I’m picking up some hints of fruity tastes, but it’s also sort of flowery.”

@Blitz Boom “It’s nice to meet you, Elder Sohe, though I wish we could have met under better circumstances. This is not a good look, and I feel as if my mind is drawing blanks. Only vague thoughts about what happened before I woke up remain.” Lin tried to remember some more recent memories, though she couldn’t do so without either coming up with nothing or having a headache. There were small glimpses of walking down a tunnel into some underground ruins, talking with a few of the village children, and spending time with Shrimp, but nothing else seemed to come to mind. Blanking out on the things that happened earlier wasn’t a good sign, but she wasn’t going to accept it. Fortunately, Elder Zhao came in and explained the matter, easing her worries and assuring her that the memories would return in time. Having the recap would do wonders to help jog her memory, but it may take some time to have Sen’s narration of events line up with what she could recall. Frankly, it was likely that Sen would dictate what happened, and she would just accept events as they were, but he understood the task and its importance. It was a sound approach to ensure Lin could start to recover. Sen nodded upon hearing the elder’s suggestion. As much as he found the look Elder Zhao was giving him to be a little… pressuring, he readied himself and began recalling the mindscape, what they found there, and their tasks within that place. It still felt surreal, but the things that happened there were not easily forgotten. “Sister, as said earlier, something took over you; some kind of creature wormed its way into your head. Omen took us here to the kitsune so we could remove that presence in your mind, and what she said was true. We entered your mind and began restoring memories that were changed by the entity because it was making you remember things differently. It’s like it was trying to make you forget what we went through with Rosa and Discord as if making you forget those we befriended and what we achieved together. Rescuing Omen, spending time at the carnival… those things.” “Somehow, either you or something that looked like you joined us inside your mind. It was your consciousness, I think, but it helped us out a lot. Eventually, whatever was inside your head began showing us things that seemed to be related to it. Experiments, most likely, but it may have been giving us hints that the longma were its creations…” Sen paused for a moment to catch his breath; somehow, this narration of events began to sound even more bizarre despite having experienced it. He was about to go into the more personal memories, especially the matter concerning their parents, but it appeared that even Lin was just as uncertain about the narration now. Perhaps this may be a good thing in disguise, as Sen hoped to have a private discussion with his sister about the matter. However, how they'd go about this would simply depend on what comes next. As for Lin, she held up two claws in front of her, gesturing to her brother to stop before he could say another word. “Wait, please stop. Going into my mind, restoring my memories? All of this sounded too strange to be true, and I don’t know what to make of that.” “It is what we believed was the best approach to helping you, sister. Directly fixing the problem by removing the presence from your mind and undoing the damage it did to you.” “Omen? Elder? Forgive me for being skeptical, I am unsure about all of this. What Sen just said… did it really happen?” Lin looked to the others in the room, then back at Sen. Though she wanted to believe her brother, and he had no reason to lie to her about what he saw, his sequence of events sounded a little too bizarre to be true. Perhaps having a second and third opinion to corroborate her brother’s accounts would go a long way to assuring her that Sen hasn’t gone mad from being in the mindscape. That said, he had given her some memories to work with, so she could try to recall some events in the more distant past. It was a start, and the downtime to get her mind sorted was good to have.

@Blitz Boom “From what I last remember, Discord has found himself a good friend with a kindly pegasus, and he’s been a lot happier for it. His ways remain chaotic, but now it is channeled into more… productive purposes. I do not claim to know what those are, but his living in society is a sign that the times have indeed changed, and maybe it changed him too. Having worked with him, even for a brief time, convinced me that even as a creature of chaos reviled among different creatures, there is goodness in him.” The longma wondered if other draconequii are similar to Discord, an embodiment of their namesake that they live out in their mannerisms. There is comfort in knowing what one might expect, but seeing it for one’s self tends to bring about the unexpected. One could bring up the saying related to judging others based on first appearances, as Discord certainly changed a lot from what is known of him then and now. Still, bringing him into the longma village is a recipe for disaster, one that will likely end with immediate exile, no questions asked. Though some could argue the sheer audacity in doing such a thing makes for a good story, it doesn’t do any favors for Sen to convince his fellow longma to be more open. Some grievances are too ingrained to just let go… But some things could be changed, and some could be convinced to take a chance on the outside world and their wonders. Sen had his optimism, while Lin didn’t have the same thoughts on the matter. She goes along with it, but for what reason, only she knows. “I won’t lie, Elder Sohe, it sometimes feels like I’m facing against the world and only have a few allies standing by my side. I welcome their help, but will it be enough? I guess it has something to do with the nature of change itself; it’s scary not knowing the answers or what will come, and that makes inaction preferable. Maybe addressing that could be a start.” “I can’t promise that the longma could see themselves accommodating outsiders or willingly offering their help to the kitsune, know that you have friends among them, even if it is just me, Lin, and Omen. You’ve been gracious to us, and it is only right that we help you in turn.” The longma recalls that from the ruminations he encountered as a young child. Back then, he didn’t understand it despite it sounding so profound. Only now did he begin to see what it truly meant, despite living that moment many times before. Admittedly, he’s beginning to reach for some ideas, things that he could say better articulate the other longma’s feelings about the creatures and the world beyond the forest. Some ideas may truly come from unexpected places, and this talk with Elder Sohe has been a great help. Though he’d love to continue chatting about the matter regarding communicating with spirits, that will have to wait for now, as Lin had just woken up. Sen would bow and excuse himself to run off to see his sister, who appears to be in fairly good condition despite everything that’s happened. Her mind appears to be intact, but her recollection of past events may need to be tested. But right now, Sen was just relieved and thankful that Lin was fine and awake. “Neighpon? The kitsune? And you went into my head? Did something terrible happen to me?” “Yes, sister. In those ruins back home, you were taken over by an unknown entity, and it was trying to replace your memories with its fabrications. Omen took us to the kitsune, who gave us the chance to remove that presence in you. We’ll explain more later, but it’s just good to see you are all right!” Lin wasn’t sure about what she just heard from her brother, but it sounded like she missed out on a lot. Her mind blanked out on those details, unable to recall what happened. As far as she knew, she woke up from a long nap, a feeling that shouldn’t be possible given her circumstances. However, seeing Elder Sohe by the corner of her eye convinced her that, at least, something was up, and Sen and Omen were waiting for her to awaken. “This must be an unexpected and awkward welcome, but I thank you for the welcome.” Lin turned to Elder Sohe, attempting to sit up but noticing that her strength had been sapped. She’d concede for the moment that she needed to stay put and rest. “I’m sure Sen or Omen may have given you my name, but in any case, my name is Lin. If I may ask, who are you, and how long have I been here?”

@Blitz Boom “I didn’t know the kitsune and Discord got along well! The longma know of him after his magic ran wild, turning our world into something so foreign and unknown. I wasn’t around to see it for myself, but it is a story passed down from generation to generation. They simply called it ‘The Madness’ for it was when some grew mad from seeing the world break. Trees would walk away while the fish in the rivers would fly above the water, among other things. It was a different time then, but I still didn’t imagine calling Discord a friend; he helped us out with finding and restoring Omen.” Sen still didn’t think he and Lin could befriend the famed draconequus, let alone meet him, but it was a different time growing up and hearing the strange stories of Discord’s antics. The one regaled time after time by the older longma sounded so surreal, yet a creature capable of such chaos walked among them at one point in time. One could only imagine how things could have fared if they kept their preconceptions of the draconequus, but the two are happy to have him as a friend. At that moment, Sen felt the pattering of little feet crawling on him before coming to a stop. It seems like Shrimped has decided to make him his next point of rest. The longma took care to be gentle with movements now, but he is relaxed and unlikely to move around too much. He’d even give his little friend some gentle rubs. The longma pondered what Elder Sohe had to say on the matter, though it is hard to see past the negative aspects of one’s kind when Sen saw the ugliness in the longma’s beliefs. Isolation meant keeping a rigid way of life, and staying within it was a sign of safety and belonging. Deviations from this also led to an understanding that one didn’t wish to be part of that way of life, and exile meant being removed from a life that could have ensured stability in an uncertain world. Sadly, experiencing that separation unfairly left too many scars that were unlikely to heal, but Sen saw some positives from it. He gained new perspectives while questioning old beliefs, and he wouldn’t have met so many wonderful creatures had he not experienced life away from the longma. “To tell you the truth, elder, I feel like I am being a part of something big: a change I hope would take root and last long into the future. It’s happening a lot sooner too, and I really want to go well. You can be sure I will pour my heart out for this task; I believe in the good it can do despite many uncertainties. I just hope what I do will be enough to get through to the longma because I don’t believe them to be too far gone.” “From what you said, I am fairly sure I can’t speak with nature spirits. The longma say they have a level of familiarity with nature, but I don’t think anyone’s ever claimed to speak and understand spirits that are tied to nature. But I appreciate your offer nonetheless. It would be good to be certain. Speaking to the departed is much more different, but maybe it is possible to do that. Perhaps when there is more time, as I am not sure if being away for years to learn this skill may not be the best thing to do now. Don’t take this the wrong way, elder. I’m not ruling it out.” “Just being here, talking with you and sharing things about ourselves and our kinds, it is an honor. I don’t see the need for us to be enemies, and I’d much prefer us to be friends. Although with what we’ve been through to help my sister, is there a way for me to repay your kindness?” Sen smiled and made his appreciation for the kitsune elders known. He didn’t see the point in making enemies of others, whether for any number of reasons or simply for the sake of it. The idea didn’t make sense in the slightest. And now, when they have given help to restore Lin, he certainly feels indebted to them. There already was what they spoke about with Elder Zhao, but the longma felt it insufficient. Amid the others talking, someone else continued to stir, now more than before. With Omen watching Lin, one could begin seeing more movement along her claws, neck, and head. Her breathing became a little more audible now, and soon, her eyes slowly fluttered until they were open. Though present in an unfamiliar environment, being greeted with the sight of familiar company quickly put her at ease. “Hello there, Omen,” Lin smiled and calmly greeted. “I felt like I’ve just woken up from a really long nap. Where are we, and what’s going on?”

@Blitz Boom “Hmmm… that’s unexpected. Not immortal is not something that comes to mind when it comes to Discord. He always felt like there was more to him than what I saw. A being that was chaos incarnate was like a living force that just is and will be, no reincarnation needed. I’m not even sure if that is enough to describe him; he seems like he's larger than life, so to speak. To think there are more draconequii… that is a scary thought.” Though Sen tried to deflect his true thoughts on the matter with his more generalized feelings on draconequii, the name Mortimer rang some bells. Perhaps Mother mentioned it once or twice while they spoke before? An ancient being, one that can inspire fear? Maybe it was for the best that he didn’t bring that up on account of not having recalled enough to be a priority for this conversation. The only thing the longma is certain about this Mortimer being a very powerful creature. Admittedly, this conversation is bringing back a lot of things brought up in the past by friends and acquaintances, things that Sen hoped to investigate if given time. The evergrown and the dryads could probably be within the forest, but out of concern for both the longma and whoever he may find, it may be best to look into the matter privately. Based on what Elder Zhao mentioned, it may not be the dryads on account of their curiosity, leaving the evergreen the most likely candidates. “Knowing Lin, she won’t let something like this set her back or keep her down, but I’m sure she’ll need some time to get her mind straightened out after what happened.” “That last thing you mentioned about souls being left... I wouldn’t know if respect is even true for the longma. Growing up, I always thought it was just normal for us to have so much respect for our surroundings and each other. Turns out that respect is only given to those who stay true to our beliefs, even if it hurts or tramples over others. Those that stray from our laws are exiled and denied our customs as if they never existed.” The longma grew somber and silent, taking what he said and betraying his feelings for the longma despite wanting to help change them. Some things just couldn’t be left alone, and others weren’t so lucky to find peace even outside the longma’s forest. The thought that the same was true for his parents terrified and saddened him; it shouldn’t have happened, and they deserved better. All that was left for him was to remember the best of them and keep their promise. “I admit, I am jealous of your practices and beliefs. Your stance on your exiles and the respect you show them is admirable, and I feel like the longma could learn a lot from the kitsune. If only they could just be a little more open-minded. Still, it’s nice having this conversation with you and getting to know more about your beliefs and practices. Knowing even just a little more means I get the chance to examine the longma a little more and see where we could stand to be better.” “I know this idea might sound crazy, but is there a chance of me learning how to speak with spirits? I understand if the kitsune do not want to share that information, but is it possible for someone like me to learn what is needed to do that?” If attention were drawn to where Lin rested, one could see her stirring a little more than the last. Her eyebrows appeared to furrow, her eyelids twitching, likely already noticing that she was in a different environment. Though she wouldn’t wake up just yet, signs of activity were a good thing, and it just got a little better with a new development. Lin’s twitching was now just as noticeable at her claws, with her talons appearing to move stiffly. The movement would subside after a few seconds, only to start again, then stop, with only some quiet groans and unintelligible murmurs from her. Any moment now, things would be looking up for the siblings.

@Blitz Boom “Perhaps… It’s something I hope to do after experiencing things I never thought possible with those I didn’t think I’d get to meet. I just hope the mistakes I’m making don’t make things so much worse. Sometimes, there’s no going back after a big mess.” Sen felt the pressure welling up inside him, the kind that could end in something as bad as permanent exile. There was a kind of terror in that, a life that must be built from scratch and knowledge from the past that may amount to little. The worst part is having friends taken away just as he begins to discover the joys such bonds bring, a severing that cuts much deeper than physical wounds. But for now, the longma delighted in the conversations he was having with Elder Zhao and Elder Sohe. Beliefs weren’t a big conversation piece back home outside of lessons, and those were just accepted as fact growing up. Now, an exchange of ideas opened his mind to pleasant imagery, some more appealing than expected for him. Morbid to some, but Sen found comfort in the ideas shared with him, and he wished there was some truth to that for the longma. Or perhaps there is power in beliefs that even he didn’t think was possible. “I’ve heard of the Evergrown and Dryads, but I have never seen one. A friend once suggested that our similarities may mean the possibility of us living close to each other without us finding out. Maybe they just don’t want us to see them. But what you said about your ancestors walking among the living… that must be special to know there is more beyond the end of one’s physical life. It’s a comforting thought.” “As for reincarnation, that is new to me. I’ve always thought draconequii live very long lives, almost like they are eternal. I mean, Discord is chaos, right? As long as chaos exists, so will he. Or am I misunderstanding something about reincarnation being part of that?” Sen followed and continued, seeing the flickering lights and taking in the surroundings to feel the influence and presence of the spirits around him if he could. It may just be a kitsune thing, experiencing such wonders within their domain, but it gave the young longma some perspective of his own kind’s beliefs. A moment like this just to… feel… it’s not the kind of thing one would think to try in a quiet time, but Sen tried it just for fun. Elder Sohe’s description of the spirits was rather appealing and sensible, though the idea of spirits is fairly vague to the longma in general. It was from a visit to the Moonlit Thicket that Sen was reminded that spirits of their kin do exist, an unfortunate state that even he sympathized with. He and Lin weren’t the only exiles, as he had come to learn from a visit with Elder Ghilan back then; some longma stood up to Solasan, protested the wrongful exiles, and they found themselves banished from their homes. However, they weren’t so lucky, and they eventually found themselves in a terrible fate. Perhaps he may seek them out to learn what he can do to help. The implications behind this were rather grim. “Speaking with spirits sounds special! Maybe there might be a place for that in longma beliefs and practices if we could reach out to the spirits of our kind. There is already great reverence for our departed as we tend to the trees that are planted with their ashen remains, but it usually ends with those who stay true to the ways of our kind. Those who stray from it are not given the same courtesy, which calls many things to question… Maybe the restless of our kind could also find their rest.” The longma had more to say on the matter, but Lin stirred again as she lay. This time, Sen noticed and watched, hoping they could have a better look at her or check up on her condition. He’d pause his conversation with Elder Sohe for now to see if there was more, although the stirring grew little by little despite Lin remaining asleep. Maybe it was a sign that she may be coming back into consciousness soon...

@Blitz Boom “I… yes. Elder Zhao is right. I should have kept things under control, not make them worse.” Sen paused, hesitating to spill even more about what happened in the mindscape. That was about as much as he wanted to disclose without delving into much more personal matters. In his mind, reopening an old wound wasn’t something he wanted to do despite having come to an understanding with Lin. Some things he may not ever move on from, though he’d try his best to not let that get the best of him. As it is, he’d simply agree with what Elder Zhao had to say on the matter and hopefully leave things at that. Though Lin’s status at the moment was ever-present in his mind, he’d still get some memories of old times flitting in and out. Old things that he hoped would remain buried and forgotten. The true Elder Solasan was already advanced in age and seemingly unremarkable as elders go, but there was no telling of who he truly was until that fateful night. Sen wondered if that was orchestrated by the true elder or the creature that masqueraded as him; perhaps none of that matters now and dwelling on it would be a pointless exercise. “Our afterlife? I guess haven’t thought of it much outside of what I was told growing up. The longma believe that we are part of nature, that once our time has come, we simply give all that is left of ourselves back to our source and surroundings. If some part of us continues after, I wouldn’t know, but I hope it might be true.” The longma grew quiet, his attempts at hiding some of his private thoughts always on the back of his mind, though he still couldn’t shake what he saw in the mindscape. He once thought about the matter before, about how the spirits continue to linger around the living, though he expressed the possibility of them moving on to some kind of paradise. To some degree, he hoped it was true, and one day, he may find his father and mother there. There would be a lot to talk about when they are reunited. However, those thoughts abruptly ceased when Elder Zhao rated his… performance within the mindscape. Unexpected for sure, and it certainly left the longma rather confused at what was happening for a moment before he recalled the events again. It was disappointing to him, especially when he already had a history of meditation, and he couldn’t even muster the effort to use that to keep himself focused. Fortunately, strange spirits emerged and looked on at them, drawing his attention. One, in particular, had an interesting look: a water or watery creature that caught Sen’s eye, though he considered keeping his distance as he continued to follow Elder Zhao and Elder Sohe. “Spirits? And we could see them? I’ve heard of spirits, and I am familiar with how some believe in them being invisible, but this is unexpected! Do spirits take different forms, and do they decide if others can see them? Maybe spirits are different depending on what we believe about them. I admit, I sometimes wondered if there are spirits everywhere and some creatures could not see them for one reason or another.” Despite the soreness in Sen’s body, seeing and hearing about the spirits got him perked up and slightly giddy. Lin would have loved to see this happening before her eyes, but perhaps it will fall to Sen to learn about them. He’d quietly admit to himself that seeing all of this piqued his interest and learning about them wasn’t a bad way to pass the time.