hadriel | a video post by an evil woman in evil clothes, or something ((c) CAH)

(OOC: Please note this UPDATE to the extent of Faith's double's attacks on the city!)

[After the first day of lighting temples on fire, Faith's double steals Faith's phone for just long enough to record this video and have a bit of fun with anyone who comments. Okay, a lot of fun. It's just so good to destroy her goody-two-shoes counterpart's reputation.

She starts as Faith would -- cheerful and bright.]

Hiya, everyone! Faith again, just wantin' to say hello to all of you I haven't met yet either 'cos you're new or, well, we just haven't met!

[She waves, like always, like she can't help but be happy despte the odds.]

In case anyone doesn't know, back home, I'm a Phoenix! [You can almost hear the different in how she says the word, the capital P -- the real Faith wouldn't give it such importance when talking of herself.] Not an actual bird or anything -- that's silly! wish I could fly, though -- just really, really powerful.

[And now there's a subtle but palpable change to her face and eyes, like a shadow coming over her. If you've ever mer Faith, you know this isn't her, because she'd never speak of herself like this.

Right?]

Powerful and rare, like a phoenix from mythology. I am one of very few. My people call me a living legend. Some think I should be served and honored like a god.

I think so too.

So if you see those puny little temples falling to bits in all that fire, that's just me takin' care of business, cleaning things up -- nothin' to worry about! Say goodbye to your gods, Hadriel, and let me take the helm.

My name is Faith, and if you have faith in me, you'll all be fine.

[For a split second, her grin goes sinister -- and then she giggles and blows a kiss, and the feed cuts out.]

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[The double's smile softens, and she manages to keep the darkness out of her face and voice then. Not the chill, but the shadow. It's something.]

If the gods attack the people here, I'll protect them. I'll do for them what these gods can't because of their very nature.

You're new here, aren't you. [She pauses for a moment, long enough to give a quiet laugh.] We all deserve to be free of these beings who brought us here to feed off of. That is what drives me. We're not the gods' playthings. I'll defend those who can't fight for themselves.

[ Lunafreya is taken aback by the sudden softening of the woman's features, and the words she speaks leave her rethinking her stance. That is... surprisingly sound judgement. ]

Surely you cannot hope to take them all on your own. [ Luna's voice is quiet. There's still something about the woman that puts her on edge, but she can't put her finger on it. Perhaps it's the nature of the video feed? The burning structures in the background would likely make anyone look sinister when placed behind them. ]

Indeed, I am. [ Lunafreya mulls over what Faith says, and it strikes a chord in her; the sentiment she illustrates reaches far deeper within the Oracle than one would imagine, and pain colors her voice when she speaks. ] Would that such thoughts were enough to stand up to the gods and their whims. I know... how it feels to be chosen by the gods for a greater destiny. I know the frustrations of such a position intimately, as well as its joys.

But this is not the way to throw off the yoke they have placed upon us. A lone woman, regardless of her power, cannot hope to face an entire pantheon.

[ And, in her heart of hearts, Lunafreya knows that Hadriel's gods have given her another chance when she hadn't been able to hope for one. She leaves that part unsaid, though. ]

You will get yourself killed. I beseech you, for the sake of the kind woman who healed me... Please, stop this madness.

I'm not alone, though. Got Kate with me. [And the other doubles, who aren't exactly going to stop her.

Chosen. Destiny. Those are things the real Faith rejects and reshapes. How lucky for the double, who can cite Faith's past now to make a point.]

This isn't the first time I've stood up to monsters in power. I can't stop, not when I know what I'm doin' is right.

[Destroying Faith Carr is right.]

[ Luna doesn't know who Kate is; hell, she doesn't even know that the woman she's speaking to is a double. Regardless, hearing that Faith has help... does nothing to allay her fears.

In Eos, it took armies to slay gods. Noctis had the ability to lay them low, of course, but as far as she knows, he's never been able to kill them. She may not know what Faith's abilities are as a phoenix, but she can't help but worry after her. ]

You... would know better than I, I suppose. Forgive me for meddling where I am not wanted.

[ She breathes a sigh. ] Stars bless you, my friend. Please, stay safe out there. [ Lunafreya still thinks it's a fool's errand, but what is she to do? Faith is a grown woman who can handle herself. ]

[None of that matters. The double has gotten what she wanted out of Luna, so she gives her a warm smile.]

I will be. Don't you worry! Just take care and leave this to me.

[She blows Luna a kiss and waves, then signs off to go do more damage, glad for what she's already done to that angelic Faith Carr.]