hadriel | [Video]

[Tyki is sitting in a mostly empty room, with a serious expression on his face. He's not one to really draw mass attention to himself or make a show of things like this. But Hadriel calls for drastic measures. While he doesn't really think of the gods as gods at all, and he doesn't think there's anyone here currently that could actually kill a Noah, he still has to think of the future for his family. And while he's alone for now, if another member of his family arrives here he wants to be prepared for things to go their way. So he's been working on a plan of sorts.

Be helpful. Be kind. Forge a better white side, a Tyki suited to Hadriel and it's citizens. Doing whatever he can to make friends for the sake of the Noah family's needs. And now it's time to set those plans into action.]

I'm not one to talk about my home, or the war going on, but we've had some trouble as of late and I think it's only fair to prepare people for what might be coming. [Tyki sighs, and shakes his head.] I've made friends here, and I want everyone to be safe. And with what might follow me from my home, that can't happen if we're not careful. [He pauses, for a moment, before continuing on.] My name is Tyki Mikk, that much is true. I am a member of the Portuguese prime minister's family. And I'm also an agent working against the Black Order. While religion can be a source of tradition and joy, in the wrong hands it has a dangerous power to corrupt and rule. And that's what the Black Order is, the catholic church militarized and made occultic. They've been known to kill children to keep them from running away. They won't even let their soldiers die, they reuse them in artificial bodies against their will. There is no fleeing from them, a draft into their numbers is until death. These soldiers, called Exorcists, wield a supernatural weapon called Innocence. They think god gives it to them. Please, be careful. They're usually brought into the flock quite young, and indoctrinated at any cost. It's not their fault, but they're more than willing to kill for their cause. And if you're not with them, you're possibly going to be seen as an enemy. [Tyki bows his head, and the video ends.]

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They're religious, but they may be rather quiet in the public's eye. It all depends on who we end up with. Some of their agents I'd go so far as to call friendly and kind. Some will kill you for getting in their way. [Tyki's expression is concerned now, but he keeps his words back. Most men don't like that sort of thing, being asked if they're alright, people prying into their reactions.] They all wear black coats with silver buttons. They're distinctive, and they stand out in a crowd.

Hm. At least some of yours are still people. Or pretending to be anyway.

I'll keep a look out.

[He hesitates before continuing, but he feels like he should share. Fairs fair and all, since they're talking about crazy religious cults.]

One of them from my world is here already. Faith. She's probably not too dangerous without Bliss, but... Anything she says is a lie. Don't believe her. Don't fall for it.

[Pretending to be? Oh, those words cut a little deeper than they should. Is Tyki still human at all, or is he just pretending to do so? Holding onto his past so he doesn't have to deal with being a monster entirely.

Is it really all about fun and choice? Or is he just playing at who he was?]

Faith. I'll keep that in mind, thank you. This place is a mess, and if we don't take care of each other the dangerous ones will eat us alive. [Tyki looks entirely grateful for the advice.] If I come across her, not a word will be believed.

At least for your world and mine, they aren't shy about who they are and what they believe. Wait til we get someone who's clever and cunning and can hide in plain sight.

Won't even know what's happening until civilians start disappearing. And even then that happens so often it won't raise alarms.

[He's an optimistic ray of sunshine.]

What a charming outlook. Unfortunately, you're probably right. The real danger will come quietly, and no one will see it for what it is.

[Tyki shakes his head.] The best we can do is keep our eyes open. It's harder for those types to flourish if even a few are aware of what's going on.

Because I've seen it happen before. It'll be hard for them, unless they're selling something that people want to believe in. A way out of here. Something to strive for, a purpose.

I could see them gaining a following.

That's the ticket for them, isn't it? The one thing that could turn the whole of the city against the gods. Or at least the ones that call themselves that. All it would take is the promise of a way home, and just a tiny bit of evidence to make it possible. And all of the sheep would fall into flock.

[Tyki groans, it's not fun to think about.] Let's make sure to keep an eye out for that sort of nonsense. We all want to go home, but sensible doubt should be strongly applied to anyone who says they can make it happen personally.

It's only a matter of time before someone claims they know how to work these door fragments and everyone will fall all over themselves to help them out. Give them whatever they want.

Do you think people even realize it when they first manipulate another into doing their will? Maybe it's not even intentional, and then it happens a few times and they get high on that power.

Christ. What a mess. Even the sensible will fall for that sort of thing out of desperation.

[Tyki pauses for a moment.] I think you're wrong there, for the most part. I think it takes a special sort of person to reach for that power, to thrill at being able to control others. I think it's something you have to want to do. Good and evil aren't alignments, but choices. And most of us don't willing choose to harm and manipulate others.

That's what I'm waiting for. Look what happened with only the promise that the door fragments might help. They built boats using all the wood on the island, destroyed the orchard, went around forcing emotions out of people to power these gods all to get something that they didn't know existed.

It's already happening.

Maybe. I hope I'm wrong. But I think that anyone is capable of becoming a monster, they just need the right push in that direction.

If it's already in process, we need to figure out who's really behind it. In process means it's not to fruition, and there's still time.

[Tyki agrees wholeheartedly with the monster part.]

I'll let you know if I see more in this vein of action, or find out anything worth sharing about those who might be acting already to rule.

Yeah, keep me posted. I'm not going to let what happened back home happen here.

[Not that he can do a whole lot considering some of the people here have superhuman powers, and some aren't human at all.]

At least we're prepared and see it coming. That should help a lot.

You and me both. I'm not the strongest in the city, but I'm certainly not going to go easily. They'll be surprised at the fight I can put up.

Planning on going down fighting?

I mean that sounds good in theory, but when faced with it..

That's the plan. I'd rather die crushing cruel forces than see people be trampled because I sat back and did nothing. [It's easy to say that when there's not a single substance in this city that can actually harm him. He's unique, and if he wasn't so lazy about things he'd be one of the worst threats to hit Hadriel.]

I've been faced with it before. It wasn't particularly pleasant, but I survived. I might not next time, but my resolve is there.

That's real strength.

[More than Pratt has.]

Here's hoping we don't need to rely on it.

Or obnoxious stubbornness. I'd like to think I'm strong, but really. [Tyki laughs a little, not bitterly or darkly, just a mild and honest laugh of amusement. This is getting ridiculous. What has he gotten himself into this time? He just felt responsible for setting the path up for his family in the event they might arrive. But now he's starting to feel like he's in a bit over his head.] I'm a survivor of the worst sort, too irritating to go down quietly. So while we both would rather it not come down to battles and resolve, it's their funeral if we have to go down that road.

[Pratt chuckles, oh he likes you.]

Be annoying enough that you're invulnerable? A solid plan.

I'll keep you posted if anything pops up.

[He's certainly hit it off better with Pratt than some of the other people around here.]

A proverbial cockroach, that's how I'll play it. [Tyki makes a small sound that just seems contented, and a little smile accompanies it. Then he salutes, as lazy a gesture as possible for something supposedly respect based.

He'd never make it in any army.] Thanks again. You can expect the same from me.

[Video]

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