Hidden Truth [Log]

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

What: A log for everyone to gain the information in the Hidden Truth video tape.
Where: The Observatory.

There had been a flurry of letters sent out from Jack and Chiaki, first to Zelda to ask to borrow the Observatory, and then to every Hero of Light, alerting them that they had uncovered some intelligence received in the Heran Empire before the Capital had fallen to Crystal, and that everyone needed to see it immediately.

Jack, Chiaki, and a few others brought in a screen connected to a machine that some would recognize as a VCR. "With our peace mission to the Imperial Capital over Christmas, we returned with a recording made on 20th-century Earth technology, the kind that doesn't have an analogue on Crystallis. It took us time to build a machine to be able to play it. This information comes from Kalki, recorded what appears to be years ago. We obtained it from the Imperial Spy, Jenni. As of right now, we still have no reason to believe that Kalki is alive. But this comes from her, and I apologize to everyone who might be upset by seeing her again."

With that, Jack plays the recording. He stands by the screen and repeats the words for everyone to hear, for those who cannot understand English. Since Kalki's first words are to explain why she is recording it this way, it makes sense why he has to do this. He keeps his own emotions in check throughout, until the explanation of the Bard song that everyone gets to hear. That seems to upset Jack.

Once the recording is over, Jack pauses. "We will need some help from any other English speakers to create a written transcript of the recording so that anyone can access this information at any time. The tape and player will remain here for any Heroes to review. We ask that you please be careful with the machine."

Finally, Jack sits down to let the room descend into the inevitable chaos.

Comments

Open - Helping with Transcription and Translation as well

[not_most_days]

Kidd was not thrilled with this at all. The early wonder of her first exposure to video technology quickly gave way to the building dread of the situation they were finding themselves in. She was at once satisfied and frustrated that her mistrust in the Sage's motivations was well placed. And then there was the matter that this was proof that, even if Kalki still lived, she didn't expect to survive what she did following the affair at Aqures Tosf. And as for the Calamity and this song that Kalki had taught them there was no simple way for her to wrap up her thoughts on the matter. It would be something that would need time for them all to consider.

As Jack does, she stands by and helps to translate the recording to the others, a bit shocked to be facing this language barrier head on. She tries not to think overmuch as she does so.

[needsteaplz]

As soon as the video played back, Saori was quick to write down notes to help her translate the English to Japanese for those who need it. When Kalki mentioned becoming God, the scratching noise of pen to paper stopped. The red head didn't look up from her paper. When the tape stopped, it seemed she was finally able to breathe though she looked drained at the same time.

Become a god and create a new world entirely...it was something even she could never do back home. She wasn't the big G up back there, just a goddess of multiple domains for mostly one country. The talk of cycles, birth and death reminded her when she learned how souls worked. To overcome this "shadow" Kalki spoke of wouldn't be easy when Saori's past would seem like a buffet for the Calamity in her to feast upon.

She turned her head to glance at Mary next to her but seemed hesitant to make eye contact or utter a word to the other woman. The past week or so was quiet between them mostly due to Saori trying to skirt around meetups. She wasn't ready to forgive herself for that terrible first impression she gave Malik, which Saori believed reflected badly on Mary since the pirate was her Assassin mentor so to speak.

[not_most_days]

The hesitation wasn't easy to hide from Mary, even with all the distractions in the room at the moment. The Assassin was keyed into the people around her as a habit and Saori had risen to a higher priority on that list.

The talk of gods also made her recall the powers that Saori had in the vision. She'd told her before that she was a god in her own world right? But judging by the look on her face the prospect of becoming one by way of the Calamity was a non starter.

The air was heavy over the topic and the mood in the room was grim and unsettled. Neither of them were going to find any satisfaction here right now.

"Hey. Do you want to take a walk?"

[needsteaplz]

"Actually," Saori looked back at Mary, "I would like that. Lead the way, please."

She gave her notes to Brigid, asking her to quickly copy and distribute them to anyone who needed a Japanese translation. Quietly, she put on the hood of her Assassin's uniform before walking out. Fresh air sounded like something the doctor ordered.

"I can't even make head or tails of any of this, honestly."

[not_most_days]

Mary's eyebrow went up at Saori's response. There was a clear weariness in her voice and watching her pull her hood up was another clue. Mary was tired as well but she couldn't help but worry for her lover. All of this was enough for her to want to hide away.

"I think I'm just barely getting it. But I'm not sure following Kalki's plan is something any of us are that keen on given what we've seen her do." And then there were the parallels to what they had witnessed and heard about from the Sage's vision.

[needsteaplz]

It was a rare moment Saori wore her exhaustion on her sleeve. Was being nearly a hundred years old finally catching up to her?

"I know but I can't shake this feeling that we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss it though. At this point, we need to look at all the possible solutions. Though, I can't imagine becoming a god in that fashion."

Gods back home for her are subject to death and reincarnation. She had a gut feeling it wouldn't work like that in this situation. If becoming the Will of the Calamity meant staying here, she wouldn't see her children, husband or her entire world again. Was it worth the price to ensure they would never be caught up in this cycle of more suffering though?

"A little off topic but I'm sorry I've been avoiding doing things together. I managed to clear this nagging doubt that was in me finally."

[not_most_days]

If she had actually asked that of Mary she would have commented that she looked rather good for her age and never seemed a day over 50 at least. The punch she'd get for it would be worth it.

"No. It's good to know we have a plan, such as it is. But there's no promise it would go exactly as she said either. We're better off holding that in our pocket while we keep on investigating." Mary drifted closer as they walked along, slipping her hand into Saori's.

"It's alright. I've been....distracted lately as well. Frustrated. At all of this. I'm glad I have you here to keep me anchored though." She was silent for a beat before glancing over to look Saori in the eye, "What's on your mind?"