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

[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?"