03 [video]

[topslug]

Name: Yako Katsuragi (un: katsuragi)
Date: Septeril 1st, after Mhairi & Nessie's address and Sokie's post.
Format: Video

For those who are considering going to Dorchacht: someone brought up the idea of sharing what information we've been able to find out about how the compulsion to obey witches works in the city. From previous experience with these dreams, they don't often represent an accurate version of reality, so we should be cautious in our assumptions of what will actually be there.

From what I was able to find out, the enchantment to force Monsters to obey witches is built into the walls of the city itself -- along with a spell to keep the Cwyld out, though it's not the same as the one used by Aefenglom.

That being said ... if it works the way it does in the dream, then we know there are ways to protect ourselves. The resistance was distributing enchanted paper with runes that can be used to lift the compulsion. The witches were willing to teach me -- I assume I'm not the only one who learned. If there are enough of us willing to work on it, we could work together and take a look at that spell, see if we can strengthen it and distribute those spells to those who can't cast them. We don't have much time before we leave, but I think it's worth trying.

[ She pauses. Up to now, she hasn't looked very uncertain or worried, only concerned, but she's more tentative about what she says next. ]

One more thing ... we may still not know exactly where these dreams come from, or why, but I think it could be just as significant who isn't getting the dreams as much as who is. I spoke to some of the people who live outside Aefenglom's walls earlier last month -- and they told me they didn't experience anything like we did after Litha, that dream with the dragon and red skies.

But people who were infected by the Cwyld -- they did dream about something strange. They said they had the same nightmare of being trapped in darkness, hearing something or someone in pain, and a great heart beating in the distance. And they think they remember seeing some sort of cocoon, like a caterpillar's? It didn't seem like they were in the same place, but their accounts were very similar.

... I don't know if it has any significance, but if you're staying behind, please be careful, too.

[ ooc; Yako's referring to investigation results from here and here respectively, if you were curious. ]

Comments

[topslug]

I wish I knew ... but if I had to guess, maybe it has something to do with the Cwyld's nature itself...?

It's a magical infection, and I don't have much experience with those.

[silentsavant]

And then there's the content of the dream. Surely it means something. At any rate, it's another dot on a chart we're all trying to connect into the shape of what plagues this land, the circumstances of our being summoned here. But this pestilence of magic being a factor in the shared dreams like the ones we have among the populace, and all of them experiencing the darkness, the pulse, the pupa... An indistinct picture is starting to form, but it's difficult to say with any confidence just what it is we're looking at yet. We're up to our ears in hypotheses, though.

[He shakes his head. This is going nowhere but circles, and he has another point he wants to focus on.]

Thank you for sharing your findings. At any rate, it's good that we do have more immediately usable information on Dorschacht... in theory, at least. I take it you plan on joining?

[topslug]

It does feel like every answer just raises more questions ...

[ She sighs, and then perks up again. ]

I do. [ Yako confirms, easily enough. ] Though since enough people seem to be interested in going, they've decided to divide us up into two groups. Ritsu-kun and I will be going with the second.

[ By now, at least in casual conversation, Yako being Bonded is something Soren is already aware of ... though what neither of them know at this point is that Yako will find herself bereft of it in the not-so-distant future. ]

What about you?

[silentsavant]

While nothing fills me with more dread right now than returning to a city like that... I cannot help but feel the need to confirm what it's like outside of the dream with my own eyes. I was thinking of traveling with the second group. It seems a little safer to go in once we receive accounts from other members of our Coven. We'll have a better idea of what to expect.

[A brief pause, then] However...

It would be more ideal if I had a Bond, with a witch specifically. I cannot rely on myself, not to fight, and not against a whole populace that would clamor over each other to own a monster like me. If I could at least present myself as, well... regulated in some way by a witch, then I could avoid some unnecessary trouble. And I would benefit the witch, too.

[topslug]

A Bond...

[ There's a pause, Yako thinking it over, before she perks up. ]

Then, what about Bonding with me?

[silentsavant]

[They exchange pauses. Even though Soren knows the decision is an obvious one to make, his feelings on the matter are messy.]

...I think that would be an ideal arrangement. We've done it before, and it wasn't bad. Moreover, if I'm being honest... I think I would prefer to form a Bond with you over any other potential candidate.

[topslug]

[ Coming from Soren, 'it wasn't bad' is practically a ringing endorsement! ]

You don't have to decide right now, if you want some time to think about it ... but if you do decide that's what you want to do, I'm happy to.

[ ... Not just out of the necessity of the moment, but the broader necessity of Soren remaining here overall. Has he really not been able to find someone else he'd like to bond with in the time he's been here ...? She won't pry into that over the network, but she'll ask him about it later, she decides. ]

[silentsavant]

I don't need much more time. I think it's best for me in every sense. As long as you consider it in your best interests as well, then we can begin making preparations for our magical wedding Bonding ceremony. ...You truly want to do this with me?