✤ One. (voice;)

[kingslight]

[The Network. As useful as it may be, Regis is quite hesitant to use it. Why? Well, there's plenty of reasons 'why' but none any better than the fact there's depraved criminals lurking about. How depraved? Those twisted enough to devour the corpse of their victims for all to behold. His brief conversation with one of these killers completely stamped out all of Regis' desire to converse with others in his realm.

That is until now.

After speaking with Faith regarding this sinful realm and the deities who rule it, Regis decided now was the time to seek an audience with the alleged "Gods". Though, how is he to speak with them? It's not as if they broadcast themselves on here often. Since Regis has arrived, these so-called deities been silent, oddly so. Still quite anxious about using this Network as a means of contacting these False Gods, Regis eventually does speak after a moment of deep contemplation.]

I humbly beseech any and all who knows of the "Gods" to speak plain and true.

[His voice is quiet but not without certainty. He's a king after all. Hesitation isn't permitted even in strange matters such as this.]

The last several weeks have been quite daunting to plenty and many who've endured great hardships. Bonds have been broken and friendships lead askew by murderous endeavors of those who perverted the good image of many. With this known to all of us here, I think now would be the time for the Gods to speak.

Is it in hubris alone that 'Fear' and 'Hope' would steal others away from their rightful worlds for the sake of this war of attrition? If so, there's much to discuss and I'm willing to do so in private if the public channels ill-suits any who speaks.

[He ends the recording with that for now. It seems as good a place to end it. Now the wait begins...]

Comments

action;

[kittycaterer]

[ Noctis isn't aware of the conversation Regis had with a killer. His chosen ignorance to the entirety of his reality within Hadriel has left him a bit blinded to most things. The prince has kept his concerns revolving around solely Regis and Lunafreya alone, which isn't exactly the best of choices. But it's what he's become comfortable with, and it's what he's rolling with. ]

[ So when he sees Regis openly questioning and calling out the gods on the network, he avoids responding on the network and decides to just go over to the next room. He holds up his phone, gesturing to suggest he's listened already. ]

You'd think shrines or temples'd be the way to go. It's not like we have a choice, I guess.

[ He puts his phone in his pocket and starts to walk over. Noctis isn't really sure how to address this or even talk about it, considering that the fact Regis questions for his reasons of being here bother him. Deeply. ]

Not sure if they're gonna answer, dad. Even ours don't that way.

[kingslight]

[A frustrated sigh escapes Regis as he turns off his phone. He should've known better than to attempt to contact the Gods through this accursed Network. It was a valiant attempt but a failed one. Regis hesitates to visit the shrines nearby out of his own dislike for this city. Let's be frank, he's a little perturbed by the violence he seen here thus far. Regis would be an idiot to wander far in search of these shrines. ]

There's a chance they will, Noct. [He says with a smile of reassurance.] It may...take time.

[A tense sigh leaves the old king. Despite his clear discontent, Regis is impeccably dressed in a black dress shirt and matching slacks that look rather good combined with the crimson damask pattern tie he wears. It's something he picked up the last time he been out which feels like eons ago.]

Though, Noctis-- [He turns to the youth again after peering out the window for some time.] If I do manage to speak with them, I would prefer to keep Lunafreya and you out of harms way just in case they prove...inhospitable.

voice;

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ His voice is small, cautious and quiet. He's not sure the King will recognize it or not but he feels he has to try and help. It's the least he can do, all things considered.

Clearing his throat before he talks. Taking a deep breath and trying to steady his nerves. ]

I er... I found that contacting them directly... Was er, the fastest way to get a response. As in, you know, calling their personal device...

voice; AW SHI-- [1/??]

[kingslight]

Contacting them directly?

[The king scoffs. If he knew how to contact these knaves directly, he wouldn't be trying to---Wait.]

voice; [2/4]

[kingslight]

[He knows that voice. A long impregnable silence lingers between the two as Regis' thoughts claim him. The king knows that voice but from where? Why does he suddenly feel so ill now? Nausea? No, Regis barely eats anything as it is and he hasn't eaten anything since--

Since...]

voice; [3/4]

[kingslight]

['Forgive me. It's rude to talk with a full mouth. Can this wait?' The king's eyes widen once it all finally sinks in.

Despite the seemingly gentle guise of this bastard's voice, Regis recognizes it all too well. How couldn't he?! This is the same man who murdered those poor women and bloody ate them for dinner! How could he forget?! Regis could feel his blood start to boil as he gnashes his teeth together in a quiet growl.

Oh, this whoreson is playing coy with him, isn't he? Does he think Regis is so old that he would forget his accursed voice?!

That worthless cur---]

Re: voice;

[kingslight]

...I ought to burn you alive--

[The venom within the king's voice is almost as deadly as any poison. If William is a smartman, he'll hang up right away. Regis is beside himself in rage, pure unadulterated rage. He hates this man righteously with every fiber of his being. If there's anyone he'll kill with his own bare hands, it's this sniveling coward of a murderer.]

You've grown bold if you think for a second that I would forget your sins!

voice;

[kittycaterer]

[ Oh, he's heard about you, friend. He's heard things. And with how his father's temper has seemed to spike so suddenly, he feels the need to chime in. ]

If I were you, I'd bow out of the conversation and consider playing around with someone else.

[voice]

[circumitus]

Well, if you ask them, they claim that they didn't purposefully cherry pick who comes and who leaves. Door's unpredictable like that.

[Considering the hard time Hope and Delight had when trying to mess with the door, Rey is inclined to believe them.]

They do have private lines of communication, though. You can bug them using that.

Re: [voice]

[kingslight]

You speak with such certainty. I assume you've spoken with them.

[While Regis was hoping to contact the deities or at least lure them out, he's grateful to meet someone who has knowledge of them. This is why the old man perks up a little,

The woman wins his interest.]

Private lines? Ah, so they don't answer publicly.

[Video]

[mismanagement]

There are means to contact them here. You may do so if you wish.

[Maketh just looks tired.]

But they believe our lives are nothing. You will gain nothing by attempting to reason with them.

Re: [Video]

[kingslight]

Maketh...?

[Those wise green eyes soften a little with regret once he sees her. His thoughts been with Maketh since news of her death reached him through the lips of her shade. While he won't say it, Regis feared she was lost for good.]

You believe so? If our lives mean nothing to them, then why do they seem so keen in keeping us here in Hadriel?

voice;

[devotional]

[ Though Lunafreya is not far away-- Noctis likely wouldn't dare allow her to venture too far from their apartment unaccompanied-- she hesitates to approach him in person, though she knows she has nothing to fear. Worry is more than apparent in Regis' voice as he speaks in his post, and if Luna can do anything to allay that fear, she will damn well attempt to do so. ]

Your Majesty, [ She begins, unable to buck the old moniker no matter how hard she tries. ] I know very little of these foreign gods, but if they are anything like those of our own pantheon... Please, allow me to assist in your endeavors. I know not if there are covenants to be forged in this place, but I would be remiss to allow you to commit to this undertaking alone.

Re: voice;

[kingslight]

[There's a lengthy pause between his message and Lunafreya's reply. The Oracle is still recovering, is she not? How could he ask of her to beseech the gods on his behalf when she is still injured? Regis worries for her health but he shouldn't treat her like a child. Lunafreya is a woman grown but still---]

Between Noctis and you; the two of you will have this old man doomed to worry.

[He sighs deeply. There's no possible way that he could handle the burden of forging some sort of "pact" with these deities on his own. He's just not as young as he once was.]

I know of the true earnest and valor that comes with the Fleuret's name and I would be a fool to spurn your aid. This is why I request that Noctis and you both seek out these deities and speak with them.

We need to know what they mean to do with us.

audio;

[hotspurred]

[There is an underlying sharpness to Henry's voice. If Regis sounds regal, well that would hardly faze a knight of his standing, let alone personality.]

Speak to them yourself, if you would know them. They claim no responsibility in dragging us to this wretched cavern. 'Twas a relic, The Door, which did... made active by Fear, I understand. Hope and Delight's attempts to control it proved they spoke truth when they said they knew not how to work it.

'Tis Fear, Rage, Sorrow and Confusion whom have tormented us.

I have been here a year and a month, if you would hear more of the particulars.

Re: audio;

[kingslight]

[Now this is quite familiar. The sharpness of this tone, the certainty in his words---Regis is used to this. It's almost as if he's speaking with one of his Glaives rather than your average citizen.

The King is grateful for the familiarity. It makes it so much easier for him to respond.]

How common is it that Gods often claim no responsibility when their schemes go awry? I've heard of such a tale before from the Six who rule my realm but to hear it again upon lands so foreign? This is nothing short of a mockery, a divine one at that.

[His distrust of deities must show. Regis has no love for any of them at this point. The King of Light will never be a godless man, but he doesn't like them.]

Tell me more about the two who aid us, Hope and Delight. They're the ones I wish to converse with most. If they're truly friends of man, then I hold no animosity for them.

[text]

[godofthemachine]

I have gotten nothing useful out of the gods. Don't bother.

Re: [text]

[kingslight]

[Forgive Regis' fondness for script here. It's the only thing remotely matches his handwriting.]

Did they refuse to heed your call?

video;

[therewillbeorder]

[Oh look, it's the guy who appeared as if he had been dying.]

You can contact them directly but they tend not to provide anything in terms of useful information and can be rather frustrating at times.

Re: video;

[kingslight]

[Regis' right eye twitches a little in minor annoyance once his phone suddenly switches to video. He looks quite well for a dying old man. Very well, actually. Hell, he looks better than Hux who still wears that charismatic scowl upon his youthful face.

Hux will regret always looking so grim once the wrinkles settle in but Regis wouldn't dare voice such an idle thing.]

Is that so? How many times have you spoken with them personally?

voice.

[dedikated]

( The others have explained it pretty well, but she's just gonna point out one thing. )

If they're telling th' truth, the only one stealing us away was Fear.

( Which, she's inclined to believe. She saw the mess of Delight and Hope trying to use The Door - hell, she died during it - and, well; )

Hope's just tried to clean up his mess.

voice; private

[kingslight]

[He pauses for a moment once he hears the slight accent. Regis knows for a fact he never spoken with her before.]

Was? You mean that "Fear" is no longer continuing so?

[Congratulations, you've won his utmost attention now. Regis tunes out all the other chatter to converse with this woman privately. He changes the channels to do so.]

So "Hope" is becoming exhausted by the insurmountable tasks before him? Does he not have allies?

voice.

[bheidh]

They would claim that they don't bring us here.

Re: voice.

[kingslight]

[Ah, another speaks. Regis doubted his words would reach the deities but his voice has reached across this city in just a matter of minutes.]

A claim I hesitate to believe without proof.

voice;

[hasitsthorns]

We're only a means to an end for them.

[ aka, sorry bro. They don't care. ]

Sorrow said so himself.

Re: voice;

[kingslight]

['A means to an end?' Interesting choice of words. Regis doesn't doubt that the woman is quoting Sorrow directly. Sounds like something an oppressively arrogant deity would say.]

Then they mean to treat us like cattle or pets? I suspect the former.

[Video]

[elegant_and_proud]

[Regis is a far more honorable and righteous person than she is, but she's taken quite a liking to him despite that difference. He's a pleasant man with a strong spirit. She does worry that he might get himself hurt by challenging such powerful beings, or even by involving himself in fights that are not his.]

Based on what others have said, I'm not certain of what degree of control they really have. I do believe any attempt to escape the cavern would require a team, adequate supplies, and some to stay behind.

Re: [Video]

[kingslight]

[Regis possibly geting hurt is a very real scenario. The man could die. He has died. His body is weak while his magic remains so powerfully potent. There's much he cannot do and fight another war is one of them. Regis overreaches himself and his son has taken notice.

He needs to be reminded of his obvious frailty but shall he heed it? Only time will tell since Regis martyrs himself needlessly now.]

It seems that "Hope" is the one we should thank for our health and shelter, while "Delight" graces us with minor luxurious in the form of alcohol and fine fabrics. The deities here play a major role in all this but I have yet to discover how.

[He ponders for a moment.]

I know of none who would dare venture beyond Hadriel.

voice;

[closerift]

[ Hmm. This man speaks much more like those from her own world, and Cecily responds in a careful, even tone: ]

It isn't hubris. Not only that, anyhow. They take us and toy with us in order to draw power from our emotions. More often than not, unfortunately, they are successful.

Re: voice;

[kingslight]

[Her slight accent catches him by mild surprise. It seems to be a handful of people contacting him now. This is good. Regis' message has reached quite far.]

They require our emotions? How come? Is our "emotions" their source of power? Sustenance?