[video + a̴̞̰̩ư̲̩̳d̘͘i̶̝͖̩o]

[rekindlenpcs]

Hello, guests of our fair city!

[A young woman appears on the screen, dressed in white robes with a very ornate pattern on the hood and sleeves inlaid with gold thread. She stretches her arms out in welcome, a warm smile crossing her lips.]

My name is Rhea, and I am the one who presides over our ancient traditions - including those kept within our temple that was only recently reclaimed by the plight that has infected our homes.

[She bows her head in thought, and despite herself, tones down her youthfulness into a more serious tone.]

My fellow priestesses, the monks, and I hope you had a festive winter holiday season despite those creatures who seemed taken with us all. Let me ease your fears and say that those slain shortly before your Earthen holiday of Christmas were the last, and our... partners in the science department are s-

[And just like that, the video cuts as a laugh echoes through the now-staticky feed as though they weren't being broadcasted by something that had been linked directly to the network like the initial feed. Judging by the tone, it is decidedly male.]

Shown yourself to give them a sense of safety, have you my dearest Rhea? And I thought the priestess you succeeded had taught you better than to lie to your guests.

[There is a clearing of a throat and further pause before the video cuts back to Rhea, looking quite at a loss for words.]

...A-As I was saying, the science department as collected a few of the rocks for study. Though I doubt they'll find much on an object that has lost it's magic, if what history reads.

Iif you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them.

[As the feed cuts, she mouths "What was that?" to someone off-screen.]

Comments

[detective_shirogane]

[Keeping up to date with the network was far easier now thanks to her communicator-- so she certainly wasn't one to miss this message. Naoto's eyes narrowed as she watched the feed, the development causing her mind to reel. So Rhea (how interesting, the name of Zeus's mother--) was the Priestess here, and would hopefully allow them more information.

But who was this mysterious man? And how was the Priestess 'lying' to them, if she truly was at all? Had he managed to hack into the video feed? So many questions...]

Hello, Rhea-san. I am Naoto Shirogane, a detective from my homeworld. It is good to be able to meet you.

I had several questions for you, of course, but first of all, I'm quite interested in what Gods or Goddesses you worship here in Saeng Seong. Who are they, exactly? Or are they not Gods at all, and more spirits?

[Slow and steady... build up interest, then perhaps ask to look for more indepth information into the 'touching' aspect here.]

[rekindlenpcs]

The pleasure is mine, Shirogane.

[She bows slightly, arms before her with palms touching one another as she does so.]

The Four Goddesses, or simply the Four, are deities that embody the four main aspects of nature: Amidra, the mother goddess of water that gives all beings life. The twins Avana and Akasha, goddesses of earth and the air that sustain us. Lastly is Ahilani, the goddess of fire and the soul.

My order believe them to be Goddesses who simply watch over us from their own realm, never interfering with man and their pursuits. Though absence gives others of more analytical mind little more thought than they do the fairytales of childhood.

[detective_shirogane]

I can understand someone of a more scientific mindset denying such an existance. It's not uncommon for those from our world either.

[Unless of course, you've seen literal gods and can summon them from your mind. Then you're a little more inclined to believe, even with someone as scientific mind as Naoto.]

Do you focus on all the Goddesses here, or do you hold preference for certain ones in Saeng Seong? And is this shared with towns outside your city?

[rekindlenpcs]

I wouldn't doubt that to be the case.

[She gives a faint smile.]

I have to say it's a mixture of both. We give homage to all of Them in our festivals, yes, though you'll find those within our walls who do believe in them praying to our city's patron deities: the Twins.

[shadowsgambit]

[After the Universal Brotherhood and all its horrifying glory, any organized church with obvious secrets - being called out for lying to everyone, at that - is enough to make Fortuna reflexively wary. In fact, part of her immediately pegs them as prime suspects for the city's darker secrets.]

So, no sign of whoever was controlling those things, was there?

[rekindlenpcs]

As to who they were that enchanted them, no. Our only clues are the stones found inside the usually-benevolent snowmen.

[shadowsgambit]

[Fortuna nods, willing to accept that answer. She may or may not believe it, but she can't do anything about it now.]

All right. So tell me about your order. How's it structured? You're a priestess - what does that mean?

[rekindlenpcs]

[...Fortuna, she hopes you're ready to sit down and listen for a bit.]

The Order of Four has four branches: the philosophical branch which records and protects the history of our world; the peacekeepers that work with the police; the group of mostly volunteers who see to preparations with our major festivals and work more closely with the Guest Help Center, and what my colleagues in the judicial system would call the "administrative". Though in reality, they are only the heads of the other branches underneath the High Priestess of the Twins.

As a priestess, my duties mostly focused on keeping the records of our world's history and to study the magic was accessible before this power situation began. I suppose you could say I'm a Healer - or, was.

[heretic_hamlet]

[Distrustful of the clothed caste though Ramza may have been, by her response this priestess had more the confused air of pawn than a manipulator. But it made his questions all the more important in the end.]

Think you these stones are the work of human hands?

[rekindlenpcs]

Yes. At least, I hope it was.

[heretic_hamlet]

...Is there an alternative? Could they have been brought through without your knowing?

[rekindlenpcs]

Yes, but it would take a lot of magical prowess... something that not many native to this world, nor those the scientists have brought to this city have.

[Her brows furrow with thought as she brings a hand to her chin.]

...Not unless they had done something incredibly foolish.

[drank_the_milk]

I knew it. I knew this place was too good to be true. Who was that other guy just now?

[rekindlenpcs]

I don't know, though I would like to know too...

[drank_the_milk]

I'll tell you who he is. He's the guy who's probably really in charge around here. He's the guy who's going to make a bunch of stupid rules we have to follow or he'll brainwash us or murder us. He's the guy who's going to decide to brainwash or murder us anyway even if we're following all the stupid rules.

[rekindlenpcs]

I can assure you he's not. [In fact, she looks affronted that such accusations would even be made!] There are three who hold power over this city, myself being one of them, and I can say this without a doubt: that voice was not among our numbers.

double video!

[humility]

[oh hay, authority to question! Rhea, you get the honor of having two Keyblade Masters pelting you with questions. they're both on-screen, but it's the polite, smiling Aqua who starts.]

Hello, Rhea! Thank you for giving us this opportunity. We both have some questions for you if you don't mind - what is the relationship between the scientists and the...ah. Spiritual sector?

it crosses the skyyyy...what does it meeeeaaaaaan...

[rekindlenpcs]

I don't. Answering questions is what I'm here for.

[She smiles politely, bowing much like she had before with her palms together as though about to grasp them within one another.]

Ours is a... strained relationship on philosophical topics. We disagree on many things at times. However, we do work together at times for the benefit of all.

it means there will be a lot of derp in this thread :)

[earthshards]

I see... [The other Master in the video looks contemplative as he figures out the wording for the next question.] We've heard from the scientists about the energy problem, but...

[A pause.] ... how does it look, from a more magic-oriented perspective?

[Because that, he's sure, he and Aqua will understand a lot more.]

tl;dr here, have yet another character who thinks he can change the npcs' minds. ^^;;

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[This actually stirs September to say something. He has usually regarded any broadcasts by officials as unhelpful and thereby distracting; but this time, with such an obvious signal hack, even he is getting a bit, well, not frustrated, as such, not even annoyed. More like... vaguely irked. Possibly. Something about this doesn't sit right with him and, furthermore, tests his patience.]

[Usually September is pretty friendly and open for an Observer. Believe you me, his emotionlessness could be a whole lot worse--he's downright effusive compared to the rest of his people. And yet, in the face of this latest example of obfuscation and borderline ineptitude, he finds himself slipping into the obdurate mindset he'd been leaving behind recently....]

[His usually gentle, serene voice is strangely hard and flat, making its lack of inflection all the more pronounced. Is he... scolding her? His gaze is cold and downright intimidating.]

I would suggest, if anything useful is to be achieved, that both groups work together on equal standing. Furthermore, it would be to the best advantage of both groups to allow those of us who have been brought here against our will to aid you to the true level of our capabilities. You do wish this energy difficulty solved, do you not? Refusing aid is counterproductive and disingenuous and will ultimately result in refusal on the part of others to offer aid. This is not a threat. It is a repeatedly observed fact.

[His head tilts to the side as usual, but with none of its usual curiosity. It's lizard-like, now. Alien.]

Allow us to help you in all the ways that we can and cease withholding information from us.

[It's really a good job nobody who knows from Observers is here to see this, else they'd be terrified at this slip into something so closely resembling the cold and vaguely threatening majority of his kind.]

oh september...

[rekindlenpcs]

Were it simply my choice, your aid would not be so outright refused.

[She frowns thoughtfully, sighing under her breath.]

The truth of the matter is everything in this city is put to a vote and the majority rules. My order, however influential we may be, is a minority compared to those who flock towards science and close-mindedness. It took us thirty years for the general populous to accept that we needed help from outside parties.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[September blinks heavily.]

The use of science does not necessitate closed-mindedness. If the scientific community here conduct affairs in such a manner, then they are poor scientists. However, both groups have demonstrated a counterproductive tendency toward obfuscation for no apparent reason. Now that the populace have accepted the need for outside help, there is no reason for such secrecy.

[video]

[wallcrawler]

Sure, it was just like home. Even nailed the whole 'bizarre strangers trying to kill me' thing that usually gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling I associate with the holidays.

[This is your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Being decidedly not-friendly. Because being the target of attempted murder kind of bites, especially if his would-be killers are complete unknowns. And when any memories of Frosty the Snowman are tainted in the process, well, he's one unhappy arachnid. He liked that story, darn it]

So, wanna explain Mr. Ominous Voice, or can I just chalk up an extra secret or two to you people?

[video] 1/2

[rekindlenpcs]

[who didn't like that story, though] To be honest, it's a mystery to myself as well.

[Rhea bows in apology, trying to keep her own feelings on the situation muted. Unfortunately she rolls a natural 1 on not seeming upset in the "Why do we keep attracting violence" manner.]

I'm truly sorry for this. Usually our snowmen aren't out to kill-

[a̴̞̰̩ư̲̩̳d̘͘i̶̝͖̩o - hacked]

[rekindlenpcs]

[The feed is, once again, tampered with as sudden black and white snow cover the video footage. Whoever it was simply allowed the priestess speak this long without further interruption.]

Then you clearly do not recall the little "celebration" when you were named high priestess, dearest Rhea...

As for you, guest - you could always have asked. Unlike the "officials" and their corrupt bureaucracy, I will not hesitate to answer questions until they can be put to a one-sided vote.