001 | Video

[hippocarnival]

Name: Yuya Sakaki
Date: Sept. 4, morning
Format: Video

[Yuya holds the communicator as far out as he can in his hands, giving people as much view of a stable garden not too far from the Coven--in fact the main building is easily in view.]

Hi! Since some of us are going to be going to Dorchacht soon, I think it's really important that we don't go without being bonded for everyone's safety. So if you don't have one, Abigail--[He turns the camera to the side to put a tall, lanky witch into view. She waves.] Is willing to help with casting bonding spells for anyone who comes down to--this garden.

[A slow pan shot, hoping to show plenty of landmarks.] She confirmed that they can be broken when this is all over, so it doesn't have to be a permanent position. But after what we saw in that dream... we're better safe than sorry.

I'll be here too!

[Mingle Here!]

Comments

[fifty]

I don't really want to do the bond thing with someone I don't know even if it's temporary. I mean I'm sure she's nice! But I'll be fine.

[hippocarnival]

Well... I don't think Morgana Drummond sounds very nice at all. [That's who he assumes he's talking about.]

Are you going to Dorchacht? I was thinking mostly this was to help everyone going.

[fifty]

Oh, I meant Abigail. I bet she's great at bonding people with spells! [He doesn't want to dis this witch's skills.] But anyway, yeah, I'm going to Dorchacht. But I'm fine like I am!

[hippocarnival]

[Hmmmm.]

I'm not going to make you, but I think after what happened in the dream it'd be a lot safer.

We'll be here all day anyway. [He'd rather be available for people who do want to take it up.]

[fifty]

I guess it might be for some people, but it'd also be messing with how we're currently living just for those guys. [That's how America is going to justify it to himself, anyway, rather than dealing with his various insecurities and concerns about the idea of him forming a bond.] Like we're saying "see, all these monsters are owned already" or something.

[hippocarnival]

Won't they think of monsters as something that has to be owned no matter how we go in? Maybe they won't be as forward about it was we dreamed about, but... they were willing to take anyone who was on their own. And then there's the full moon...

[Of course then they'll get there and realize the moon doesn't matter because the darkness blocks it out but it's a good idea at the time.] And they can see what a bond looks like that's equal! That monsters don't need to be controlled.

[fifty]

I just mean we shouldn't change for them at all with stuff like this. Like, "we can have bonded and unbonded monsters and either way they're all equal to witches". I mean... I guess even here they don't like unbonded monsters, but... [This probably says a lot about how America views bonds, honestly.]

[hippocarnival]

I know, they're equal! It'd just be safer if we had that way to keep an eye on each other and make it less easy for anyone from Dorchacht to take or hurt a monster.

It's supposed to help with those weird urges monsters get too, right? Ms. Drummond... she already has a bad opinion of us. Even if it's a terrible place we have to behave.

[Because Dorchacht has already threatened war or something, they're on thin ice as it is.]

[fifty]

I don't need someone else to control me. [America definitely sounds defensive there. Sorry, Yuya, this isn't really about this situation in particular so much as a general dislike of his situation...]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya raises a hand in defense.] Okay, okay, you don't have to come!

[fifty]

Okay. Yeah. Good. [Right, this was about a specific event. America got kind of caught up in the idea of it.] I mean.

...

Good luck on your thing. With people who want to go, I mean!

hope this is okay!

[silentsavant]

Under these circumstances, bonding would be the superior practice. Not just for you, but for your whole team of dignitaries. What is stopping you even from forming a temporary arrangement? Pride? Or is it fear?

of course!

[fifty]

It's not like I said nobody should bond even if they want to. [America's annoyance grows, obvious in his voice.] I already said I can take care of myself!

[silentsavant]

What arrogance. Aren't you the least bit concerned about risk reduction? You're a dragon. Moreover, as both a monster and a dignitary who cares about improving the perception and treatment of Dorschacht's monsters, proving the efficacy of our Bonds over theirs would work in your favor, would it not?

[fifty]

The point isn't that we have a better way of controlling monsters, the point is that monsters and witches are equal and monsters don't need to be controlled. It's not like I'm going to go in there and start setting people on fire!

[silentsavant]

These are people who view monsters as threats to society. Once we were vermin to be feared and exterminated. Now we are little more than pets, slaves, personal property to be used however a human deems fit. You are not going to appeal to them by suggesting monsters should be given free reign. It is far too radical an idea for them.

They don't care about monsters. They care about how monsters can benefit them. That's why we need to show how our Bonds — a mutually reciprocated relationship predicated not on control, but trust and a symbiotic exchange — is a better alternative to their warped version of it. That witches and monsters can work together as equals.

[topslug]

It feels strange to think of going that far, but I can’t deny it came in handy in the dream... regardless, I’d be willing to help. I’ve got an existing Bond myself, so I hope that contributes to more stability.

While Monsters may face the most direct threat, from personal experience, being Bonded is helpful for Witches too. And if we’re going to need all our resources coming to Dorchacht, we can’t discount what that bit of clarity or extra power can do...

video.

[amurder]

This temporary bonding... what does it entail? Does it differ much from a true bond?

[Because here's one very interested Chimera who plans on going, but bonding... has been complicated.]

[hippocarnival]

I don't think so? You can break any bond, so I really just meant nobody has to keep it if they don't want to when this is all over.

[amurder]

Interesting. Your answer brings me to my next question... is the ritual of a temporary bond any different from an actual bonding ceremony?

I assume there would be some significance involved.

[hippocarnival]

Uh... hold on. [Yuya turns his device away as he leans over to chat up Abigail, muffling the conversation.

Then he turns it back.] No, she said she's using the same spell. You can break any bond, I guess, so temporary is just... reassurance you don't have to keep it if it's not working out.