Office Hours - We Could Be

[shieldof]

[Faith's door remains closed, the brass "PRIVATE" plaque silent and unyielding. Trying to force the door yields no results, but- she said you could contact her here, so just go ahead and knock. Worst case scenario, you're no worse off than before, right?]

((OOC: Please tag your top-levels with the appropriate week and day.))

Comments

[qilinzuo]

[ Interesting. So the language can be understood...for the most part.

Magic, mechanical engineering, and scientific texts. At least he has other subjects to inquire with whenever he needs a jumping off point; but, next, he will head on over to the forge, because maybe he's predictable.

This is kind of cool—no, focus. ]

Remaining material plane? Did something happen to this world, Faith?

[shieldof]

Indeed.

[She nods somberly.]

I'm unaware of the specifics, but a great calamity struck this world with devastation.

[qilinzuo]

A great calamity?

[ He whips his head around at this, surprise fading to something serious; it's clear Childe hasn't been anticipating hearing something so dire had struck this place...

And, of course, "danger" is well within his interests. ]

...Had to have been before you became an Apostle? Or is the timeframe for that kinda fuzzy when it comes to what happened here too?

[shieldof]

It was. I have no memory of it, at least, though I'm uncertain of how long ago it occurred.

[qilinzuo]

[ Childe supposes trying to immediately bridging things together will take time. Or something like that. ]

No memory of it?

[ Time to ask a simple question, then. ]

Well...you were brought here like us in a way, right? Departed from your world to do your duty as an Apostle once chosen by your god, and then we came after you and the god have been hanging around here for awhile. Do I got it right?

[shieldof]

Oh no. This world is all I have ever known. Were I brought here from another, it must have been at quite a young age.

[She doesn't seem terribly concerned by this fact, at least.]

[qilinzuo]

[ Somehow he feels his attention's fully back on her instead of the forge. ]

...Oh yeah?

I didn't know you were practically raised here. By yourself? [ A pause: ] Didn't even have the chance to meet other people? Get friends?

Just curious. Being an Apostle sounds like you don't get much of a chance to get out much. Duty's important to the god and all, but vacations are important too.

[ The Tsarita is known to be a cold goddess, it is true. It's the first he even thought to make comparisons, but even with his unwavering loyalty to her, he can't fathom being sequestered from others from such a young age for quite awhile. ]

[shieldof]

I suppose you would say my god was my guardian. But no other mortals have been here before you, no.

[qilinzuo]

[ Hmm... ]

No other mortals?

What about immortals, then?

[shieldof]

No. Well-

[She hesitates for a moment.]

...it may be best not to speak of- it.

[qilinzuo]

[ Okay, but... ]

...Why not?

[ Childe's curious, so naturally, he's gotta ask. ]

[shieldof]

It- ...one moment.

[She rises, walking the circumference of the office, speaking quietly under her breath. A small trail of light forms under her feet- as she closes the path, a thin bubble briefly springs up around the room before vanishing. But even in its apparent absence, the air suddenly seems slightly muffled or pressed in.]

Just- an extra measure of precaution.

[Faith sits back down at the desk, back straight and hands folded.]

I don't speak of this creature lightly, Sir Childe. It has been long since it appeared here, and hopefully it will remain so. ...but there has been the clown.

[qilinzuo]

[ Childe's more or less watching this happen and to say he's surprised is an understatement. It's not anything he's expecting. So, he's blinking as she gets to work.

The sudden subsequent changes has him straighten himself, looking around, and then back at her. ]

I didn't think it'd be this bad.

Since you went to the trouble, I'm gonna guess that it's dangerous beyond even what most can imagine. Maybe the type to lurk in the dimensions and slip in wherever as it pleases?

May as well tell me more - or whatever you can - while you've got the protection up. Though I'm not sure how a clown's related, either.

[shieldof]

Exactly so. It comes and goes as it pleases, and neither I nor my god know the means.

[She shivers a little.]

I call it the clown because it dresses brightly and posseses a painted visage. Often accompanied by the sounds of horns that would likely be most merry in other circumstances.

[qilinzuo]

I didn't think it'd trouble you that much.

What else is frightening to you about it?

[ Idly, Childe thinks of the Jester of the Fatui Harbingers. Doubtless it's something else and not the one he's thinking of; cringe the title may be in some ways, but he probably doesn't look so garish as a literal clown monster/whatever it is, would. ]

The horns that come along, or just the fact it can come and go as it wants?

[shieldof]

Its eyes. It- has never actually attempted violence, mind. But looking in it's eyes, I've no doubt it could inflict horrific suffering should it so choose.

[qilinzuo]

[ That just makes it sound interesting. ]

Sounds like you think this creature could be a one-of-a-kind boogeyman.

Well, like all threats if it gets troublesome enough, killing it isn't a bad strategy.

[shieldof]

I would attempt to do so, but I suspect it will not be easy.

[No comment on the boogeyman thing.]

Should it appear I would ask that you do not make the attempt, at least not without me. I- aside from my concerns for your safety, and. ...After this morning, I don't wish to push the thought of killing into further prominence in everyone's minds.

[qilinzuo]

[ There's a long moment of silence. ]

Yeah?

Even if it's an option set up by your god?

...To be honest, I still don't know what to think of you, entirely. But, I did assume that it could be in your best interests to let it hang at the forefront at some times; not a harsh push or anything. Just, you know. [ A shrug. ] Of course, I'd be one of the few people who'd understand it wouldn't be much personal.

People do things for who they believe in, just like others do what they do for their jobs.

[ Childe says simply, looking at her curiously, awaiting her response...he is kind of wondering what type of person she really is, away from the crowds. ]

[shieldof]

I trust my god implicitly, yes. I also trust that none here will choose to commit murder.

[Her expression goes carefully neutral as she speaks.]

If you chose to think poorly of me, I would not blame you.

[qilinzuo]

[ Childe's brows shoot up in actual surprise, and then he laughs, holding his sides for a bit; but, after a bit, he settles down. ]

Phew, needed a moment...but, honestly, I'm judging because of the whole situation and all, so that's a given. It's still not good for any of us.

[ Saying this casually, because it's true. Suspicious god, suspicious circumstances, and someone who trusts in this god wholeheartedly. ]

But, it's an interesting perspective. So, I'll keep in mind you said that. Although, can I ask you what makes you believe in us so much?

[shieldof]

I- thank you...?

[She thinks? Maybe. That was a curve she didn't expect.]

[Best to default to politeness, regardless.]

[She chews her lip a little as she considers his question.]

I suppose I am choosing to believe my god would not bring in those who would leap to such violent means.

[qilinzuo]

I guess I was kinda surprised.

[ Childe admits brightly, which is something, but...it's true. He's not sure what's going to really happen going forward, yet hearing that candid belief sounded like...well, kind of welcomingly familiar, for a moment. The clarification does bring him back to cold reality, even if he's got something playful or light entering his tone. ]

Sounds like it comes back to believing your guardian god chose well the character of the people, huh? Well, a lot of the people here seem supposedly friendly [ ... ] but, we do have violent people too; they could end up doing anything. Maybe me too. Spite might win the day instead, though. So, since you believe no one will murder to leave...

...When we escape from this place by another way, just don't be too upset, alright?

[ Childe sounds certain. That despite whatever Faith's god so happens to be, that everyone could manage another way. ]

[shieldof]

I will not be. You all have lives you wish to return to, after all.

[She watches him carefully.]

May I ask what you will do if escape proves impossible?

[qilinzuo]

[ So no shocking declarations of 'you shall never pass'? He fixes her a sharp smile when she asks, regardless. ]

"Impossible"?

You're dealing with someone who won't accept that sort of thing. Nothing is impossible.

[ Of course, Childe says this now. He acts like he won't feel stressed about it at some point. ]

You really have faith that the god of yours is going to successfully block off any attempt at escape routes, don't you?