Event || Strategy

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the Heroes of Light and some NPCs.
Where: Aqures Ixen, Castle.
When: January 25th, Afternoon
Summary: All the Heroes of Light were formally invited to a meeting in the Castle of Aqures Ixen, in the conference room. They will be able to discuss strategy with their peers and the allies amongst the NPCs. This is the final preparation before endgame.
Warning: N/A.

Mingle Thread
The Meeting

Comments

[grandsummon]

Well... ( her head tilted to the side thoughtfully. )

I'm not sure if it will work, but perhaps... a sending. ( her mismatched eyes hop over each one of the men— ) A ritual. For when the dead need guidance. I know the circumstances aren't the same for when it would normally be used but... it may be worth a try.

( and a small nod towards duster as well. ) And a song may not be a bad idea either. ( even sin had been drawn by the hymn of the fayth, after all. )

[unyieldingspirit]

[K'pandolu pulls a face at Jade's reminder, ears twitching back.]

It could be, I suppose. I don't like it one bit- it's a bad idea. [admittedly, she's speaking from her point of view, where the summoned deities sap the land. Still.]

[she nods to Sparks, humming for a moment.] Perhaps our most diplomatic, then? With backup, should it become necessary. [look she's not saying things would go south but. just in case.] Of course, we'll need to get there, as well…

[she shrugs, uncertain.] Perhaps… But it's not a part of you that wasn't already there, isn't it?

The WEAPONS and Palitutu

[umslay]

Ah, while we're still here... [Ales crosses his arms.] We need to do something about the WEAPONS Palitutu left behind. If we are the fight Garland and whatever else the Calamity throws at us, they might come in handy. Now, I understand the misgivings you may have in regards to those falling into the wrong hands, but they may be out backup plan

Are there any military folks or scientists that can devote time to understanding the WEAP0Ns? And what should we do if Palitutu does wake up?

[zodiac_brave]

Is it...like an exorcism?

[For the most part, those few remote places in Ivalice where ghosts lingered were simply avoided, but there were rituals that some magicians knew. It...usually did not involve music, in Ramza's experience, but he was no expert. He would defer to Yuna's judgment.]

Yes, I think it is worth trying. What does this ritual require? I have little talent for the magical arts, but I can help gather anything you need.

[zodiac_brave]

"If we choose to confront him that way, I will volunteer myself to stand against Garland. I would not ask anyone else to take on such a dangerous and likely fatal task if I were not willing to do it myself."

Besides, it felt...inevitable, after the Sage's vision.

"It is true, the military could not hope to stand against Garland. But we can use them elsewhere. The men and women of Crystallis deserve to fight for their homes as much as we do. Once this battle is over, they will no longer be able to rely on the Heroes of Light to save them. They need to be ready for that."

[melodiesnpcs]

Our military forces might help you in another way.

[ The General was the one to speak and pointed the former imperial provinces and in particular, the Imperial City. ]

Following the de-crystallization, we sent intel teams to the source of the Calamity's spread. According to our reports the former Imperial City, now known as Pandaemonium, is crawling with monsters. They all appear to be either crystallized or contaminated by the Calamity. Furthermore the very structure of the city has changed, it is to be expected the place itself will try to fight you.

[ A pause. ]

Whilst our soldiers cannot stop Garland, they can secure the area. Rather than tediously fight your way through Pandaemonium, our troops might clear the path to Garland for you. However, how you choose to help the military help is up to you ultimately, President's order.

[melodiesnpcs]

If those of you with white crystals aren't of any use to Garland, you can be sure you're of use for Kalki's plan. Becoming God or whatever that megalomaniac witch thought up.

[ Cid looked at the Crystals of the Heroes, but evidently had no clue about them. ]

She's about as twisted as they get, so don't go thinking she made you any favor. Beyond that, afraid I don't have a clue.

[hiddentruth]

[ Parasraya didn't reply for a moment, seemingly lost in thought and bemused. When she finally spoke, the gave her own glass to a passing servant. ]

I shall let you be the judge of that... And I expect you to be a harsh judge.

[ With that said, she gave Mary a last smile and walked away. She didn't seem intent on speaking any longer. ]

[hiddentruth]

Then surely it is our task to eradicate the chaos and let place to order.

[ She shook her head and took a glass from a passing servant. ]

I hope you will be ready to play your part in accomplishing this, as I shall be ready to play mine.

[mindofathief]

[Duster himself has no talent for the mystical, though the powers giving to him by the music of the world has changed that. No ghost was powerful enough on the Nowhere Islands that required an exorcism, but Crystallis was nothing like his world in many ways.]

We can do both. The Sending and the song.

[shinrasfinest]

As Varaha spoke up, the lesser-Colonel tried to make himself seem less negative and straightened his posture up just a tiny bit where it had slouched. Where Sephiroth hadn't come to this meeting as a part of his job, some habits were hard to banish completely. That he hadn't known anything about Esdham's movements within the former imperial territories made him feel very silly, regardless that he'd had his attentions elsewhere.

In the end he offered a subtle nod to the General.

"So, provided whatever strike-team of Heroes might be formed to the climax with Garland at least we can be assured a clean pathway in. That would be beneficial."

[shinrasfinest]

[Politely Sephiroth raises an open palm to deny the offered drink from the same tray as it passes. He might take a water the next time it comes around but for now it feels like it might be only a distraction.]

Whatever part that may be; it'll be less than what I would like for it to be.

[shinrasfinest]

Hm.

[A few beats of a thought later and Sephiroth drops his arms and turns to the others, in order to be more engaged.]

We would need to consider though, if it might have a detrimental effect on Crystallis, given it has consumed so many for it's own continuation.

[dammit_flynn]

"That sounds doable and I agree. The people here should be given a chance to protect their own world. They'll need it when things are over and done with. Who knows what will happen after this battle."

Yuri nodded his head to Ramza's words. He's not about sacrificing the innocent but this he can stand behind. The plan seemed simple enough in his opinion and it gives every person something to do so that they didn't seem like they were sitting on their asses and doing squat.

"I'd suggest them preparing for any first aid that's necessary. We're not sure how this will all pan out. Chances are we might end up biting more than we can chew and we don't have enough White Mages to constantly heal. We should use what we have wisely."

[ranoutofbugs]

[Lailah shook her head.]

It's in the past.

I believe we need to look toward the future.

To do that, we need to make certain there is a tomorrow... for all of us.

[ninjainviolet]

[ Sheena had spotted her friend the moment she had entered, but hadn't approached him immediately--despite not having seen him for a while. Instead, she had roamed the room, listening to snippets of conversation, trying to piece things together.

Finally, she comes up to him, her voice quiet when she greets him. ]

Hello. Am I intruding?

[grandsummon]

Yes, you could say that, I suppose. ( the answer is for ramza, whom she tils her head towards with a slight nod. ) I won't need anything in order to preform it, but...

( there's a shift of yuna's gaze over towards sephiroth. ) If there is anyone who might know if there may be detrimental effects on this world, or the ones connected to it, then we should determine that before moving forward, I think.

Otherwise, I... would be more than willing to try. ( and a smile for duster, too. many people often sang the hymn during the sending, this may be no different. )

[shinrasfinest]

[Given the circumstances, anyone could be forgiven the long face even if it had been a near-permanent expression for Sephiroth for a prolonged period of time. He'd probably worn the exact same, concerned, overly thoughtful face the last time Sheena had seen him, as well.

Either that, or she'd seen him as most others did; the dutiful soldier who always seemed to be patrolling or performing some other duty of import that left the door firmly closed in terms of being able to catch him for a casual chat. Ever.

Sheena is greeted with a simple flash of a smile, yet it's much more than the atmosphere he's reading is worth and that's a fact. A short nod and he turns his head down and towards her.]

Not at all, Sheena.

[A beat later, when he's decided it's perfectly fine to continue-]

-I'm not sure what I expected here, but so far I'm not sure that it's filling that expectation.

[shepherd_prince]

[Chrom, from where he's sitting, shoots an approving and warm smile at Yuna with an inclination of his head. Her kindness and strength as a summoner is well known to him by now, and if she plans to do this, then by the fates he's ready to support her.]

Perhaps a trial is in order? Should we move to the border of the area where the Calamity is spreading, you can both attempt your song while the rest of us guard you from any monsters that may be drawn to the area. I think it is worth making the effort.

[not_most_days]

[Mary's been keeping to the back of any group she's been part of here out of habit. She trusts everyone but she'd still prefer not to have anyone standing behind her if she can help it.

But at Kaji's question she steps up.]

I've been there. I can show you on a map how we got there, best I can.

[But if it's oral directions he needs she'll oblige him to the best of her ability as well.]

I've never been completely convinced she was in that grave though.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji waves off Mary's last statement. "Of course not. I think that was never a question. Going up against Palitutu, I almost doubt that there'd be anything left."

Kaji unrolls a map and gets Mary's help figuring out the direction from where they are. "Okay." He folds his arms and looks to Kurma. "You dont happen to have the crystal on you, do you? The compass is drawn- rather violently, towards the crystals. It should point towards each of the locations. And either it should go to Aqures Tosf, or the Heran Empire."

Shinji, Kaji's moogle, steps forwards, and Kaji hands him the black rose-shaped compass crystal. "Kupo, I really hate this..."

[neverfirstclass]

Yeah. You're right.

[He looks around the room and his frown returns.]

I know we can do this. I just have no clue what we're supposed to do. We've all been trying our hardest and hoping for the best.

[not_most_days]

[Mary offers Cid a nod, and a far more satisfied one this time.]

Apart from seemingly protecting us during our little jaunt through time I agree we don't owe her anything. And even that came at the cost of more lives. But a woman like her is the sort to be prepared, and to benefit even when things don't go precisely according to her machinations.

[She doesn't want to step into any more traps than she already has to this point if she can help it. The device she handed over to Palitutu still troubles her.]

[damn_juicebox]

"Do we have any intelligence on the area?" Rukia asked, now far more invested now that the military was being discussed. That, at least, she knew more about than the other topics. "I'd like to review the reports and see what we're likely to go up against once we press the attack."

If they still lacked information about the area, then she could take her small fleet to the south and scout around. They would be far less vulnerable in the sky than on foot, she was certain. But if they already had all the intelligence they needed, then there were other suggestions she might be able to make.

[rialynn]

"You're writing a song?" Rialynn's eyes immediately brightened. All the while she'd been here, she'd felt more as if she were simply tagging along, following the leadership of those who were far more qualified for heroics and world-saving than she was. But music was something that she'd always treasured, and if there was even a sliver of a chance that the right song, sung by people who fueled the melody with all their hearts, could be used to make a difference? She wanted in.

"That's a great idea! Count me in, I've been itching to compose something new." Whatever they needed. Lyrics? Melody? Harmony? She was prepared to help in any way she could.