There's nothing grand about war. All are equally selfish in their wishes, no matter what they tell themselves.
[It's perhaps the first time Chiron has been blatant in his beliefs, his own voice shifting -- still quiet, but firm in the experiences that have led to this decision.
And so his next answer is just as assertive]
I will do everything in my power to protect those here, and restore nova to this Realm as necessary. And then I will disappear.
[No matter what, death awaits him. But that's the eventual end of all things. Nothing is truly spared. He doesn't mind]
So they are. And yet they are ever being waged, at the slightest excuse-- as if they seek to destroy themselves.
[An easily manipulated tendency, to be sure... but no less depressing for its usefulness. They run headlong into conflict at the slightest provocation.
For a moment, he says nothing else, but then:]
Then you, too, care little for what's been promised.
[He doesn't trust the vague promise of wishes, not really. Not from this place.]
[Voice soft again, glancing at his companion. It's dark, and there's distance between them, but his expression still holds the graceful resignation of someone who is very old]
... I had a wish. To regain my immortality -- the only connection I had to my divine parents after I was abandoned. I gave up their gift and will always feel less of myself for it.
[...]
But I lost my chance and refuse to be moved by that motivation here. I have a greater duty to seeing the promise of life maintained.
[He won't pretend he's not a pawn; he's still playing by someone else's rules. But to the best of his abilities, he'll keep his integrity while doing so.]
You would give up on such a thing for the sake of your duty?
[That says more about him than most of what's been said so far. The responsible and honorable sort, one that might not have been out of place in a time before time. Difficult to deal with, these days, but better qualities in someone old enough to understand their weight, rather than a mortal playing at it.]
As expected of someone who has known such a life. Nor could anyone exactly blame you for the willingness to disappear, after having existed so long already.
[Sometimes you wouldn't mind a long nap in the void.]
I've lived a long, eventful life. Besides, immortality loses its glitter when you have no one to spend it with.
[said with a smile this time; the gravity of his claims aside, Chiron doesn't seem particularly upset or moved by the conversation. It's just the truth of the matter:]
Though if I could ask for your silence on this matter, if you don't mind... death is a heavy subject, especially for mortals. Given some of our companions, I suspect they would try to persuade me to cheat fate no matter what I said.
[Chiron: have you seen the number of protags in this game?]
[Chiron may be smiling about it, but Emet-Selch certainly isn't, voice slightly quieter there. It goes back to the way it was quickly enough, though, as he continues with a wave of his hand-]
You need not worry about that. I have already seen how... persistently optimistic some of them are.
He perhaps should have kept his words to himself this time. But the other has already moved on, and Chiron knows better than to pry. His head bows slightly like in unspoken acknowledgment before he also continues]
It is refreshing, sometimes, being surrounded by this much optimistic youth, even if it's coupled with naivety.
[says he of infinite patience. They're all such kids]
Small wonder that you have lived on in memory, then, being writ in the stars.
[with chiron admitting to his own, though... emet-selch leans back against the wall, gesturing up once more. gemini, this time, after leaving it out earlier.]
The seat of the Architect-- that of Emet-Selch. I am only the most recent to be given the honor.
[Ah. So that's where that fourteenth seat went; he'd been wondering.
Though framed in such a way, Emet-Selch sounds much like "Archer" does -- a title of power moreso than any real name. He hums, considering Gemini's constellation]
Architect... so there are those that have come before you?
So there are. It is not yet impossible that there may be more after me.
[That's more or less the case, though, and he further clarifies-]
We of the Convocation take the name of our seat as our own, upon appointment, and are addressed as such by most. Our original names are not forsaken completely, but they are more rarely used.
[A nod at that; Chiron doesn't ask for the name, either. That's not his place.]
... Then were there an original Fourteen who shaped the world you hail from? I remember your talk of Mitron, and how he made contributions to the seas...
So they did. All of our people were possessed of the natural talent for creation, the Fourteen being the most qualified in our respective fields and duties; once these seats were established, successors have ever followed in their footsteps.
Because Emet-Selch's profile made it clear that he is long-lived, and so Chiron had considered some type of deity. But there are very few deities who would ever give up their seats of power without reason. It's not even a failing in the centaur's eyes, just the truth of it, and a very good reason why his lore harps on the fact that he gave up his immortality.
Perhaps he was wrong then, and Emet-Selch just comes from a very long-lived species who experience change and death at their own pace. Whatever the case, he still chooses a less evasive question]
The first Mitron, in particular, was a believer that diversity was necessary in creation. Souls eventually serve their purpose, yes, despite us living nigh on eternity should we desire to; even when that was not the case for an empty seat, there was always a need to allow others to become part of the Convocation, for the greater benefit of Amaurot.
[differing opinions, perspectives, skills-- it would not do, after all, to have there be conflict if a more qualified person became apparent.]
Oh? That would make you far more forward-thinking than the gods of my world.
[Spoken with an element of humor]
The Titans, knowing that they would one day be usurped, attempted to suppress the Gods once they came into existence, but it was for naught. And then the Gods in turn feared what humanity might do to them if they grew in power.
Such is often the way of things-- but our society was run in such a way as to avoid unnecessary conflict. Everything was for the benefit of all, all concepts and creations shared, and discussion on differing opinions done within the Hall of Rhetoric.
[nothing short of a utopia, the like of which has never been seen since.]
Except such things are usually myths that can't truly sustain themselves. Conflict is inevitable. Something will always happen, even if by an ugly play of fate.
If you are inclined to share them, then yes. You have quite the curious pantheon.
[tell him more about how fucking weird they all are, chiron...
he pauses once more, though, shifts slightly-- huffs out an annoyed sigh.]
Unrelatedly-- I take it you have had the same problem that we all seem to be afflicted with. I am growing quite weary of it.
[just going to get that over with. this is possibly the most annoyed someone has ever been in offering out a hand, because it's getting to be very distracting and he will suffer the contact so that he can actually listen.]
[Me who fuckin forgot this was affection week: sir buy him a drink first.
Thankfully Chiron isn't as stupid as the person playing him, though that won't stop his minor pause of surprise as he glances at that hand. Frankly, he was prepared to suffer in silence, but if Emet-Selch is losing patience:]
Right, of course.
[Promptly reaching back out and taking the hand. Though...]
Alternatively, if you would prefer to just lean against me...
[-- Listen, he is used to people wanting to treat him like a piece of furniture, especially children. So he makes the offer in case this is beneath the other's dignity]
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[It's perhaps the first time Chiron has been blatant in his beliefs, his own voice shifting -- still quiet, but firm in the experiences that have led to this decision.
And so his next answer is just as assertive]
I will do everything in my power to protect those here, and restore nova to this Realm as necessary. And then I will disappear.
[No matter what, death awaits him. But that's the eventual end of all things. Nothing is truly spared. He doesn't mind]
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[An easily manipulated tendency, to be sure... but no less depressing for its usefulness. They run headlong into conflict at the slightest provocation.
For a moment, he says nothing else, but then:]
Then you, too, care little for what's been promised.
[He doesn't trust the vague promise of wishes, not really. Not from this place.]
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[Voice soft again, glancing at his companion. It's dark, and there's distance between them, but his expression still holds the graceful resignation of someone who is very old]
... I had a wish. To regain my immortality -- the only connection I had to my divine parents after I was abandoned. I gave up their gift and will always feel less of myself for it.
[...]
But I lost my chance and refuse to be moved by that motivation here. I have a greater duty to seeing the promise of life maintained.
[He won't pretend he's not a pawn; he's still playing by someone else's rules. But to the best of his abilities, he'll keep his integrity while doing so.]
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[That says more about him than most of what's been said so far. The responsible and honorable sort, one that might not have been out of place in a time before time. Difficult to deal with, these days, but better qualities in someone old enough to understand their weight, rather than a mortal playing at it.]
As expected of someone who has known such a life. Nor could anyone exactly blame you for the willingness to disappear, after having existed so long already.
[Sometimes you wouldn't mind a long nap in the void.]
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[said with a smile this time; the gravity of his claims aside, Chiron doesn't seem particularly upset or moved by the conversation. It's just the truth of the matter:]
Though if I could ask for your silence on this matter, if you don't mind... death is a heavy subject, especially for mortals. Given some of our companions, I suspect they would try to persuade me to cheat fate no matter what I said.
[Chiron: have you seen the number of protags in this game?]
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[Chiron may be smiling about it, but Emet-Selch certainly isn't, voice slightly quieter there. It goes back to the way it was quickly enough, though, as he continues with a wave of his hand-]
You need not worry about that. I have already seen how... persistently optimistic some of them are.
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He perhaps should have kept his words to himself this time. But the other has already moved on, and Chiron knows better than to pry. His head bows slightly like in unspoken acknowledgment before he also continues]
It is refreshing, sometimes, being surrounded by this much optimistic youth, even if it's coupled with naivety.
[says he of infinite patience. They're all such kids]
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[he's too easily annoyed for it...]
It cannot be helped, but that does not make it much easier to tolerate.
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[looking deeply amused]
All other centaurs in my mythology are considered quick-tempered and savage, in fact.
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[A hint of amusement from him, as well, glancing back to the stars.]
Then I suppose you to be the one wise centaur among them?
[what was that about some scrub, again.]
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[looking abashed, don't call him out like this, he just wanted to be an anonymous ye olde]
Yes, that is my constellation -- Sagittarius.
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[with chiron admitting to his own, though... emet-selch leans back against the wall, gesturing up once more. gemini, this time, after leaving it out earlier.]
The seat of the Architect-- that of Emet-Selch. I am only the most recent to be given the honor.
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Though framed in such a way, Emet-Selch sounds much like "Archer" does -- a title of power moreso than any real name. He hums, considering Gemini's constellation]
Architect... so there are those that have come before you?
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[That's more or less the case, though, and he further clarifies-]
We of the Convocation take the name of our seat as our own, upon appointment, and are addressed as such by most. Our original names are not forsaken completely, but they are more rarely used.
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... Then were there an original Fourteen who shaped the world you hail from? I remember your talk of Mitron, and how he made contributions to the seas...
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Because Emet-Selch's profile made it clear that he is long-lived, and so Chiron had considered some type of deity. But there are very few deities who would ever give up their seats of power without reason. It's not even a failing in the centaur's eyes, just the truth of it, and a very good reason why his lore harps on the fact that he gave up his immortality.
Perhaps he was wrong then, and Emet-Selch just comes from a very long-lived species who experience change and death at their own pace. Whatever the case, he still chooses a less evasive question]
Seats were freely given away then...?
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[differing opinions, perspectives, skills-- it would not do, after all, to have there be conflict if a more qualified person became apparent.]
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[Spoken with an element of humor]
The Titans, knowing that they would one day be usurped, attempted to suppress the Gods once they came into existence, but it was for naught. And then the Gods in turn feared what humanity might do to them if they grew in power.
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[nothing short of a utopia, the like of which has never been seen since.]
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Except such things are usually myths that can't truly sustain themselves. Conflict is inevitable. Something will always happen, even if by an ugly play of fate.
After a beat:]
You are using past tense for a reason?
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[a slight pause of his own, then a lazy wave of one hand.]
But a subject for another time, I think.
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Ha... very well.
[Settling himself in place, allowing his body to relax.]
Let us turn to other topics. Would you like to hear more stories of my mythology?
[Them just spending an hour or so talking about how stupid Greek mythology is, this is fine]
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[tell him more about how fucking weird they all are, chiron...
he pauses once more, though, shifts slightly-- huffs out an annoyed sigh.]
Unrelatedly-- I take it you have had the same problem that we all seem to be afflicted with. I am growing quite weary of it.
[just going to get that over with. this is possibly the most annoyed someone has ever been in offering out a hand, because it's getting to be very distracting and he will suffer the contact so that he can actually listen.]
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Thankfully Chiron isn't as stupid as the person playing him, though that won't stop his minor pause of surprise as he glances at that hand. Frankly, he was prepared to suffer in silence, but if Emet-Selch is losing patience:]
Right, of course.
[Promptly reaching back out and taking the hand. Though...]
Alternatively, if you would prefer to just lean against me...
[-- Listen, he is used to people wanting to treat him like a piece of furniture, especially children. So he makes the offer in case this is beneath the other's dignity]
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