✤ II. (VOICE;)

[kingslight]

[How long has it been since the former King of Light last addressed the public at large? Too long. Regis had resigned himself to silence when this fiasco begun and held steadfast to his silence until now. For those who know of him and remember the Caelum, Regis isn't the type to speak much in regards to the matters of Hadriel. He's not king here. It would make no sense for him to speak since this is not his kingdom nor his subjects but many of the people here, he deems as friends. They are friends and colleagues he's come to respect over the long months, many of which he honestly cherish like members of his own family.

That's why he speaks after holding onto his silence for so long. He knows he must do so in hopes of warding the chaos that is bound to brew. Unfortunately, this might spark quite the debate.]

Do not be so quick to cut off your noses in spite of your face. [His tone is stern and sincere without a hint of mirth.] Your desperation will lead you to sorrow if you act with haste.

We mustn't fall prey to their schemes. If they seek a life, let them take it. We are not mere pawns to used as butchers.

[He's being quite cryptic & vague for a reason. Be mindful in how you answer. Regis is aware that certain 'people' might be listening.]

Comments

[Voice]

[elegant_and_proud]

It is prudent to consider all available options.

[She's not interested in killing Hope and can think of multiple reasons why it's unwise, but she'd prefer to outwardly seem like she's giving it serious thought. If Regis wants to know her real stance on the matter, he can meet her in person.]

[kingslight]

Even for the sake of being prudent, this clearly seems like nothing more than an elaborate ruse designed to divide us.

[He might just do that. Regis doubts the woman would be as bold as him and speak so forwardly in public.]

[elegant_and_proud]

[They've been friends since the first month they arrived, and have fake memories of being married then amicably divorced. He should definitely know by now that she will take a more cool-headed approach to things.]

I doubt they are quite so political as that.

[voice]

[circumitus]

[Rey is no stranger to the concept of being used as a butcher. For a long time, she's been a pawn as well. But her strings have since been cut, and she's free to act on her own accord. Which means that she fully intends on taking advantage of the situation where she can.]

Might want to watch how much you say here.

[Pretty sure the gods have always been vigilant, but who knows how much access the Null have to the network now.]

[kingslight]

Their scrutiny hasn't waned, has it? Then I better be more cautious.

[Regis knows he's putting himself at risk but this is not done needlessly. He's worried what outcome may arrive if the others start howling for blood.]

[circumitus]

You better, yes.

[More of a warning than a threat.]

Want to discuss it in private? [Or as private as things can be here.]

video

[notimpervious]

[Forgive Brennan an eyeroll and a derisive chuckle.]

That is obviously the logical conclusion. That people need to be reminded of it is disconcerting, even if it is statistically probable that people would make incorrect inferences that lead to bad decisions.

[kingslight]

[The old king arches his brow some once this woman appears upon screen. It's clear that the two aren't well acquainted. That rightfully explains the rigidness in his posture and the slight frigidness in his tone.]

Then the reminder certainly was necessary.

[notimpervious]

[What others may read as coldness in Regis's response, Brennan reads as... literally nothing but a response.]

Yes, it was. [She can't help another chuckle.] But that does not mean that those of us who are clearly much better acquainted with logic can't find this amusing.

[Brennan... stop...]

[Audio]

[drabsolutelynot]

It is fairly heavy-handed that they target Hope first.

Re: [Audio] ; private

[kingslight]

Careful. [He changes channels just in case to something more private.] They have a glaive at our necks but everyone confuses their intent.

I fear many will accept!

Re: [Audio] ; private

[drabsolutelynot]

It is statistically likely that someone will definitely accept. We are in a cave filled with a fair number of trigger-happy individuals and with an even larger number of people who want to go home.

[He sighs]

I agree with you, but I also, ironically, can't seem to get my hope up that this can be successfully headed off by appealing to peoples' better natures.

[text]

[readytobe]

Yes, yes. Being forced into playing house is much more worthwhile!

[kingslight]

Would you rather death? That is all what they offer.

[readytobe]

And what do you believe the alternative is? Being used as a battery? Made to feel solely for the benefit of others?

I will destroy those who use me. [Whoops, getting feisty. But he means both the gods and the Null. If he goes along with the Null's plan, and they betray him...he'll just kill everything. HE'S VERY WELL ADJUSTED.]

[Video]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh's face is perfectly blank.]

I see no one acting in haste, Regis. Whatever are you suggesting?

[They're both politicians. They'll play the game.]

[kingslight]

[Maketh always has a decent 'poker face', doesn't she? Probably a slightly better one than Regis but he's certainly doing well to conceal the truth. There's no need for Regis to be completely honest here, no. Especially not when there's such high stakes involved.]

Are you so certain of that? [He questions with a raised brow.] Seems as if the masses have made their decision.

[mismanagement]

I wouldn't be so sure of that. We have weathered difficult things before. This is merely another.

Voice

[kingoftheloonybin]

[Zack has been listening to everyone's point of view carefully and hasn't bother to reply to the god.]

Would you be against it if it happens to be the most logical out come?

[He's curious as to why, since humans kill humans all the time and he's still learning where the invisible lines you don't cross are.]

[kingslight]

[The old king doesn't answer right away since he's actually giving this question some thought. While he doesn't recognize the youth's voice, Regis certainly acknowledges that this might be the most logical outcome.]

Just because it seems logical, doesn't quite make it right.

[His reason for going against the Null is a tad more complex than this but Regis isn't willing to voice all of his thoughts just yet.]

How can we trust our enemies so blindly? The Null care not for us either. They're no different and would sooner turn against us once we've killed their quarry.

[farmboyjedi]

Sometimes, it is necessary to sacrifice for the greater good. But it should only be a last resort. I cannot stand by while an innocent dies, if there is any other way to be found.

.voice

[noctyourking]

Dad? You think this will put us indefinitely in the face of danger, one side or another?

[kingslight]

Yes. [His tone with Noctis is noticeably much softer than the tone he taken up previously with others.] Is it not better to face the Devil you know rather than one you do not? We know close to nothing in regards to the Null and yet we're well acquainted with the so-called "deities" here.

Too acquainted.

voice;

[claritatis]

[Ignis is troubled by this. He does not know enough of either side yet to make a decision on who he should support, though considering the situation he would approach the idea of supporting either side with a healthy dose of cynicism.]

I can't say I think kindly of the idea of being used as a playing piece in someone else's war games.

[Through his own observance of this network, he has surmised that open communication is something that one undertakes on their own risk. Right now, he is saying nothing that others - and Regis himself - have not expressed, but still, he measures his words carefully.]

This 'offer' feels a long time in the making.

[kingslight]

And yet here we are as mere pawns. [A tense sigh escapes the old king. There's much that weighs upon the King's conscious but he doesn't dare voice them. Regis is silent for a spell, his thoughts claiming his attention but eventually he speaks.]

That it has but is this offer real? I fear not.