001

[forceofnature]

[More information? One new arrival, at least, has all the information she needs. The influx of energy from this one is massive, completely unsubtle, almost as if purposefully designed to attract the attention of anyone with any sense whatsoever of the divine. It doesn’t fade away nor does it seem to be easily localized. This surely wasn’t ‘Magatama Energy’…

Whatever ambiguity this might present is cleared up almost immediately. Despite that no one may be in the vicinity, the voice of a young girl sounds clearly throughout the city of Hinoto-Ri to nearly every inhabitant, as intelligibly as if the speaker were standing right next to those she addressed. …Perhaps too intelligibly. The first sound they hear is an vehement, despairing cry.]

NO!

This can’t be…! The forests… The oceans… The deserts and mountains, the tundra and the plains! W-Where are they?! Who did this?! What did you do to them?!

[For a few moments, the speaker seems too overwhelmed with ire to speak.  The sound of her breathing eventually slows...]

Humans. Look at this world. Look at it!

I knew this would happen.  In every world across every dimension, it doesn’t matter! You -- you’re all the same! See for yourself! This is what will happen if you tear through all of nature without respect for anything but your own wealth and gain! Are you happy?! My children… 100 million species. One hundred million. There's almost nothing left...

I am Viridi, Goddess of Nature, ruler of the Earth and all living things! And I will not allow this land to be desecrated any further.

They say there are monsters ravaging what remains. If you stand against them, then... heed the command of a goddess and CRUSH them!

Comments

[primordial]

That's not true! You're being mean!

[forceofnature]

Have you never been teased before in your life or something? Don't people usually come up with strategies for this?

[primordial]

No, no, I definitely have, it's just...

Ugh, I'm just not the best at these things. I'm sorry.

[forceofnature]

I'm being mean and you're apologizing.

This is everything I've ever wanted from my relationship with humans, but it's somehow just as unsatisfying.

[primordial]

I'm sorry! For...well, disappointing your expectations. And apologizing.

[And he falls silent because he's apologizing for apologizing, yes he is. BEST LIFE CHOICES.]

[forceofnature]

It's like the apology that never ends.

[In direct contrast to her words, Viridi ends the apology here by cutting off her communication. The presence of the otherworldly suddenly lifts.]

[primordial]

H-hey! Hey! Are you...there?

I guess not...

[Well now, wasn't that a fun conversation to have in his own mind. It's better than the ones he has with himself, anyways. But she's someone to keep an eye on, that's for sure.]

[universebeware]

Look, sometimes in the course of life, devastation on various scales happens. Worrying about preventing it is all well and good, but sometimes, there will be a need to rebuild. Otherwise structural engineers won't have anything to do.

[forceofnature]

Why would you want to fix a problem if you can make it so that the problem never happens in the first place?

You're just being obstinate for the sake of being obstinate. You should reevaluate your life choices.

[universebeware]

Given that before I arrived here, a four million year war had just come to a close - so I'm just a touch more inclined to reactionary thought rather than preventative. Old habits are hard to break and all that.

I could say the same of you - far too obsessed with making sure nothing happens, so you've no clue as to how to deal with things when something inevitably happens. Instead, you start issuing blame around!

[A pause.]

Is there actually any substance to that 'goddess' title, or are you simply some over-enthusiastic environmentalist with delusions of grandeur that gets off on pointing fingers at those supposedly at fault?

[forceofnature]

Of course I know how to deal with things. What do you think I was doing with back home? [Genocide.] I'm trying to keep the same story from being played out again in a million different worlds, because the ending of this one kind of sucks.

And do you want me to drop a meteor on your head? Is that what you're asking for? It sounds like that's what you're asking for.

[universebeware]

Let me guess, by sitting on your bum and barking orders at whoever was within shouting distance?

I'm asking you to actually do something. People here don't know you from a hole in the ground, so they're not likely to listen to you until they know you for something.

choo choo HERE COMES THE LATE TAG TRAIN...

[pastalishe]

In Metafalss' present state, we don't have the resources to launch an investigation into the Blastline and the Sea of Death. I have a duty, first and foremost, to my people. It's my responsibility to ensure that everyone makes a safe transition from the Rim to Metafalica. Not only that, but I have a responsibility to the land itself--to ensure that the settlements that we build there are safe and sustainable!

In time, we might come to understand what has happened to our planet. For the first time in centuries, Metafalss has been able to connect with the residents of the First Tower, Ar Tonelico. We have been able to send a representative to the Third Tower, Harvestasha--which, two years ago, we didn't even know existed!

I will not give up on the people of this world. I fervently believe that, by cooperating with the other Towers, we will be able to make a positive difference in this world. Call me melodramatic if you like, but I have given up everything for my beliefs. I won't stand for you trampling over them because "all humans are incorrigible"!

[She isn't even human but, by, it's kind of a moot point...]

[forceofnature]

By dropping meteors, actually. You don't really take a hint, do you?

[universebeware]

[Cue a momentary pause.]

...wait, how? I honestly thought the meteor thing was an over-blown metaphor for the wrath of your ego.

[forceofnature]

((Ahh I am so sorry for the lateness! Holiday madness happened! Feel free to drop if you'd rather not continue, I understand!))

I'm a goddess? I'm the ruler of the earth? I govern all living things? Do you need a dictionary?

Is coo'!

[universebeware]

Do keep in mind that you're talking to someone who never bought into things like gods.

Thanks!

[forceofnature]

Yeah, well, I don't buy much into sentient heaps of metal, so it looks like we've both got some adjusting to do.

Seriously, it's not like iron can evolve. It's just. Iron.

Now it's my turn to be late!

[universebeware]

Metal itself, be it iron or steel or...whatever, no. It does not evolve. However, us 'sentient heaps of metal' are quite capable of evolving and changing - just not like organics do. Upgrading one's self is rather handy that way.

[forceofnature]

So what, you swap out parts of your brain with shinier, smoother, more compact metals or something? I feel like Cragalanche could take a leaf out of your book.

[universebeware]

[There's a pause and a bit of spluttering.]

...well, in theory, but messing around with one's brain module is incredibly risky business. The upgrading of parts is generally less, ah, sensitive parts.

[forceofnature]

Oh, what could be so hard? I bet it's just like Legos! ...Ooh, wait, an Erector set; I always wanted to try one of those!

[universebeware]

MY BRAIN IS NOT A TOY!

[forceofnature]

Anything is a toy if you have enough imagination! Don't be such a worrywart; it'll be fine!

[universebeware]

...how do you keep any followers with a demented outlook like that?