futurology | ( video ) [ BACKDATED TO LATE ON 4/9 ]

[ What broadcasts over the network is the picture of a peculiar pair: Achilles and Helga, serious of countenance both, as is each's modus operandi. The metallic shell of the submarine's curved insides serves as their backdrop. ]

I should like to call to assembly the members of this crew, and I understand that this is the best means by which to reach the ears of all men, although it is more to my liking to see those to whom I give these words. It is Achilles, son of Peleus, who wishes to speak to you: I have journeyed, with a crew led by gold-clad Gilgamesh and fair-haired Kida, to the darkest reaches within the sea, which lie beyond where the imagination of men can fathom. I shall tell of that to which we have borne witness.

Down there dwells Ryba, the goddess of the sea, who is Nalanni's sister. She knows not to where Nalanni has gone, for her eyes cannot see beyond that over which she presides - but we have her reassurance that Nalanni who delights in volcanoes has not vanished in full from this land, for she would know if such a calamity has come to pass. We are told that sea and rock are anchored one to another, as life is to death: either both must make this land, or nothing at all remains. Therefore, hope has not scattered to the wind.

Wave-ruling Ryba soon grew weary of our audience, and although she welcomes supplications the price she demands is steep. It is imprudent to test the generosity of the gods. Thus we parted with little solved: still, the answers she granted ought to be shared among all.

[ Helga looks as if she would have loved to interrupt him a fair few times already, but she kept quiet in spite of herself until now. Achilles, for his part, looks none too thrilled at having to share the floor thus. ]

Ryba has not been straightforward in her answers.

[ Surely, she hasn't shot a sideway glance at Achilles when she said this. ]

What we gathered from her is that the Dakal have been driven to (or near) extinction by the Nalawi during the war between them. They had been "sent to the bottom of the sea", either literally or figuratively. It checks out, if I'm allowed to hazard a guess: on our way to Ryba's lair, we came across plenty of wrecked submarines, none of which seem to fit in with the near complete lack of technology on Komo and the other islands.

The goddess mentioned one specific Dakal, who sold her soul in order to return to the surface world. In the process, she may have been granted powers by Ryba herself, but we do not know what became of her, what those powers were, or if she did anything with them.

I have been told by the Nalawi innkeep that minor gods exist alongside Nalanni, albeit no one worships them here. Ryba proves that they are tangible to the point of concern, so I urge all of you to take great care during your exploration.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This is what Gilgamesh had meant? Goddess, this made more questions than answers-]

So you mean to tell me that you met one of a merry pantheon of deities- or creatures powerful enough to be able to appear as deities- who dwells beneath the sea? What of its countenance? Was it kraken-like? More sea serpent-esque? What is the price that she demanded for more answers? Are we speaking of "human sacrifice" levels of steep? What did these "submarines" you saw look like- could you draw a decent diagram? And ho-

[Actually, wait, another thing just caught up with her rapid fire brain.]

- and did he just say "Achilles, son of Peleus"?

| That's... a lot of questions. |

Well, someone's asking the good questions.

We met a creature who considers herself to be a goddess named Ryba. Distinctly kraken-like, though we didn't see her entire body.

| Now, to what is probably less age-appropriate: |

Kida figured that the Dakal woman sacrificed her soul. I have little doubt that she would take other sacrifices, human, humanoid, deer...

| She'll leave the rest up to imagination. |

Some of the machinery was probably not part of submarines to begin with, now that I think about it. I'm no artist, but perhaps one of the other crew members could help you. Gilgamesh, Kida, and Achilles aside, Pearl and a man named Chosokabe Motochika also joined us.

Someone has to.

[Just. Some casual shade, real quick. Despite her obvious age, Sieglinde listens intently, nodding along despite soup sacrificing content.]

About how big would you estimate the creature was based on the part you were able to see? How did it communicate with you if you were in a "submarine" and it was in the water? Was it telepathic?

[Damn... She's never seen anyone of them draw but. Maybe one of them would surprise her.]

What would it be if not part of the submarines? Technology that happened to have been dumped over already existing wreckage? Or was it beneath the submarine debris?

[Helga has already taken the endless stream of questions upon herself, but still he interjects: he does not entertain the notion that this child could participate in such an assembly as this anyway.]

Indeed that is the name I bear, and to it I have brought much honor, young maiden. Why, for one so young you certainly have a great curiosity in such matters.

[Fuck if Achilles knows how to talk to children, despite having produced one of his own. Father of the year over here hasn't seen his son in a decade and can't even be sure whether he still lives or not. It's fine...don't worry about it.]

[Seeing as in her own world no one had talked to her as if she was a child since she was like... Six... This works out way better. Adults really don't seem to like it when you don't appreciate them talking down to you for some reason.]

You will find, Sir, that I am well educated and read in all manner of subjects beyond my calling- and that includes certain accounts and histories.

[She squints a bit but isn't very good at accurately guessing ages- is it rude to ask such things of someone? Maybe.]

I would hear more of your esteemed pedigree and prowess.

[Better to ask though than to say something specific herself and end up wrong or with her foot in her mouth.]

Strange girl! But very well - if it is stories that you seek, then what is it that you wish to know? I was born of the union between glorious Peleus of Aeacus' stock and the silver-footed goddess Thetis who sprung forth from the old man in the sea. In my father's house in fertile Phthia I have a great many treasures which speak to my worth, and countless more I've won by my spear since Peleus bade me sail to Troy to bolster the armies of the sons of Atreus in their quest to retrieve that curse among womankind Helen. To all this I can speak, and to much more besides.

[Oh goddess, it really is... that Achilles. Not just someone with the same name. She has a lot she wants to ask even though this isn't the time... And also...

She definitely doesn't want to say anything that might. Not have happened yet. Timelines, right?]

As much as I imagine I would delight in all of your tales, perhaps you might tell me the one most recent to your mind?

When last I found myself by the beaked ships of the long-haired Achaeans, I received as a guest in my hut Priam, King of Troy, for he wished to recover the body of his hateful son who fell by my spear: such was the price murderous Hector paid for the slaughter of Patroclus, my second self. My rage was such that nothing should suffice short of a glut of blood enough to slake Ares, curse of men. Bargain with me though he tried I would pay his pleas no heed, for there can be no treaties between lion and sheep. Three times I chased him round the walls of well-founded Troy, never once letting him break free of my pursuit to seek refuge within Priam's city, until at last we faced one another in single combat. It was not long after that I reaped the revenge for which my heart thirsted.

[As water that leaks into the cracks of a stone, thereby expanding the channels through which it flows, so too does Achilles' ire and contempt percolate through his words as he tells the tale: he is not so far removed from that day after all.]

With Hector cast through death's gate, and his blood left to stain the nourishing earth, I was at last able to grant my dear companion his due funeral rites. A great pyre the Myrmidons built for his glorious body, upon which were heaped fine offerings that his shade may cross Acheron with the honor which so rightly belonged to him.

[It was a strange thing to find nostalgic, but... Sieglinde liked listening to him speak. Not many in this place had that sense of grandness, what people she spoke to seemed to consider "old-fashioned".

Plus, it answers her question. The last thing she wanted to do was spoil the Iliad.]

It sounds like a battle to be remembered- I am sorry the loss that you have suffered. You must forgive my curiosity upon hearing a name such as yours.

I did not expect it.

[Don't worry, he's already heard spoilers for his own death.]

You are kind in your condolences, young maiden. More than a fortnight I've spent in this land, yet the battle raging round Troy and the sorrows sown thence still burn as slow cooling embers in my heart. I have heard that tales of my glory travel far and reach a great many ears, and for this I am honored. Therefore, I can find nothing in you that need be forgiven.

( video ) [ BACKDATED TO LATE ON 4/9 ]

video | un; sieglindesullivan

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story time ig

luv it

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