public channel | d17

[anti_nonsense]

[ With the Ringmaster cutting off the kidnappee’s radios, it seems as good a time as any to use them again -- particularly since some particularly concerning developments have come to light. ]

As you’ve probably heard, some of our people got kidnapped at CY-Ren’s concert. [ If Lambert sounds incredibly reluctant to talk about this, it’s because he is. ] She’s also apparently managed to turn some -- maybe all of them -- into Harbingers like her.

[ Rita, on the other hand, shows no hesitation as she barrels ahead into an explanation. ]

For those not aware, Guardians and Harbingers both draw power from something called a 'Spark'... a physical manifestation of one's greatest passion or desire. For Harbingers, that passion has been inverted and twisted to serve the purpose of the Void... to destroy all living things. In other words, they've been brainwashed, and with their Sparks awakened, they're also incredibly powerful.

And now they’re using those powers to… [ Lambert pauses again. This is the part that sounds really stupid to him: ] … cause trouble around the city. Funny thing is, can’t say we’ve seen CY-Ren around at all. Can’t be a coincidence.

...Right. I don't know what their goal is, but maybe they can tell us, if we manage to recapture them. There has to be a way to get them back to normal, too.

As they are now, they're too strong to take down with normal means, but we have one new tool at our disposal. Through some sort of awakening, some among us are now able to manifest our own Sparks and fight back using the power of Creation. This should give us the edge we need to beat the Harbingers... and CY-Ren.

[ ‘Some sort’ of awakening is one way to put it. To wrap it up before this goes on too long, Lambert finishes: ]

But first we need to know how many of us there actually are. So speak up. That goes for anyone who’s run into the Harbingers too -- if we can figure out their movements or catch one of them, maybe we can figure out what this next ‘concert’ of hers is going to do this time.

Comments

[anti_nonsense]

Hold on. People can be familiars?

And you and 9S... what?

[criticallyfucked]

[Foster's never spoken to Rita. Not one word. So he has approximately no idea who he's talking to.]

Not people.

[Disparaging.]

But it turns out intelligence is no barrier--in either direction.

[Is he ignoring the part about 9S? Kinda.]

Why?

Were you interested?

[anti_nonsense]

Wh... no! Who would want to be a familiar, anyway? And I'm already a Guardian, besides!

[criticallyfucked]

Who... would want...?

[It has never occurred to Foster that anyone wouldn't. want to serve a power as essential as--

Well, no, that's not true. Ginko, for example.]

Is it that hard to imagine?

...well, I suppose you wouldn't need to.

[Is that bitterness or admiration?]

Creation must suit you. You already have its power, you were chosen.

Normally, I wouldn't care-I know my place, let's say. But the Void took something from me, and I intend to get it back.

[anti_nonsense]

You 'know your place'...?

[If she sounds weirded out, that's because she is.]

What's with you, anyway?

[criticallyfucked]

[Rita is lucky she's asking this today and not two days ago.]

Why are you so interested?

[anti_nonsense]

I-I'm not! You're just weird, that's all.

[criticallyfucked]

[Well, Foster can't argue with that.]

Are you worried about him?

[He still has no idea who this is.

But he wouldn't be any less inclined to bait her if he did.]

[anti_nonsense]

Of course not! 9S can handle himself better than most of the idiots around here.

But... if you're going to support him, you'd better not drag him down with your weirdness, or anything!

[In other words: she's worried.]

[dressedtothe]

[Oh hey it's Rita's patented backhanded praise.]

I'll be fine, Rita.

[Nevermind that Foster had thoroughly weirded him out when he'd asked to be his familiar. But he's loyal enough? Even though the loyalty really should be running the other way around...]

He wants to help.

[anti_nonsense]

[There's a pause. Rita's trying to be hostile here, and his calm reassurance is completely throwing her off.]

Ngh... maybe, but are you sure you can rely on someone like this?

[dressedtothe]

[There's a long pause. Uh.................]

Well, he's my familiar now. So some of my power's with him anyway.

[Good decisions were made that hour :') ]

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita sighs.]

I guess it's too late for second thoughts, huh...

[criticallyfucked]

[He's.... very quiet for a few seconds. Like he's actually thinking that one over.]

....no.

That would defeat the purpose.

[anti_nonsense]

What purpose?

[Rita's not sure she can understand this guy, but maybe she can guess. He did say something like...]

To get back what the Void took from you?

[criticallyfucked]

[Oh, she was listening. That doesn't usually happen. Haha!

It actually raises his opinion of her by a small amount, but that's a pretty dubious accomplishment.]

....no.

But yes, that too.

[There. Clear as mud.]

[anti_nonsense]

What else is there, then?

[criticallyfucked]

[Really?

Okay. Sure.

Foster doesn't sigh, at least.

He smiles.]

....

You don't have a familiar of your own?

[anti_nonsense]

I do... [Said slowly, cautiously, like she doesn't know where he's going with this.] My cat became one.

[criticallyfucked]

And you still don't know?

[Incredible.

What is even the point if your familiar doesn't own up to its role?]

A familiar... serves its master by acting as a weapon, a tool, an informant even, should you wish it so. Do you understand?

It's a servant--an extension of your power that exists to further your purpose and goals as a Guardian!

[Emphasis on your purpose and goals.]

So what I want doesn't matter.

Though it's very nice of him to let me try for it anyway.

[Ha ha.]

[anti_nonsense]

[Well, this is super uncomfortable to listen to. Rita feels herself getting irritated just hearing him.]

How can you say that kind of stuff about yourself? Are you stupid?

[criticallyfucked]

[How--?

Honestly if Foster were left to answer the first question, this conversation would be taking an extremely sharp left turn. Because Foster is very serious about the veracity of his claims. He doesn't say these things spuriously or falsely, and the tendency to take them that way is... perhaps the biggest cause for antagonism between him and others.

So thank god she then asked an easy question. He perks up a bit.]

Yes!

[He sounds... almost proud of it.]