Then...this place and everything happening. Does this feel familiar at all? Not the cult part exactly, but the rest. [she has figured war is from some sort of place where magic is a thing, so she's curious if possession and monsters and the like are the norm before she will return to her actual point.]
They are not considered occult arts. I study a particular branch of magic dissociated with necromancy and the like. [ ... ] I wanted to see if it was possible to summon a god and how.
[she. very much wants to ask because she's intrigued by this, but one thing at a time...]
So...just to satisfy curiosity? [not judging! just wondering why you had to join a whole cult to do this part.] I guess if you really didn't know what this ritual would do, that makes some sense.
I have not. They were present in an old time, split between themselves of those who fought against ancient titans and those who turned away from that fight.
The latter had been banished from our material plane, and the others chose to leave after the destruction.
...guess I can see why you're going by War, actually. [a fight against ancient beings??? gods??? more fight????] But if they were banished and the others left...sounds like there aren't many left to appear in the first place.
[but...speaking of appear.]
Your cult performed a ritual on Monday to summon a monster and that's what caused Boothill to become...unstable, right? [that's a word for it.] Do you guys know what they were really trying to accomplish?
[or is it really as straightforward as "no we want one of your own to kill you."]
Sounds familiar. [this is just muttered to herself.] That's how you got into this situation in the first place, isn't it? Joining, and then finding out later about the ritual needing human sacrifices when it was too late to really back out.
...that also means there's the possibility for even more plans down the line that we can't even predict, doesn't it?
There isn't much you are able to do in the grand scheme of things. I'm aware. Perhaps just keep your eyes and ears open.
And focus on trying to make sure you find any people who may be afflicted by any more monster summoning if the cult chooses to continue such things going forward.
[watching and waiting. that sounds about right, even if she does wish there was more. maybe it's just too early to tell.]
I understand. [...] If a person were afflicted like Boothill was, and someone else noticed and...took matters into their own hands. [like just murdered them.] Would we still have to perform ritual preparations like today?
That's good. It could mean at least one less death then if it ever came to that. [that is not how murdergames work, but let her believe.] Anything we can do to minimize the numbers. I don't like the idea of having to look for signs of possession in everyone going forward, but...if it'll keep us safer. What else can we do?
The affliction begins slow initially, so I believe the only time to really look is during the trial ritual. Otherwise, I am not sure what you would hope to find. Boothill acted normally right up until the very end.
Guess I was just hoping we could somehow make this easier on everyone. [boo...]
But if that's what we have to do, then...we'll do it that way. Unless there's a way for any of us to protect someone before they even have the chance to be afflicted. [which she doubts, but.]
[the way she probably has to crane her neck a little to look at them but it's fine, she's doing it.]
Is there a reason not to when we're all in the same situation? [like. yes, her priorities are cloud and yuffie, but as far as aerith is concerned everybody's at a mass disadvantage by being here, and the only way they're going to successfully figure out how to minimize damage and stop this ritual is taking care of each other and making sure people aren't easy to target or isolated.]
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But it is familiar to me, yes. As are gods.
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But do you dabble in other occult arts then? [it doesn't necessarily have to be evil...] Why did you join this cult?
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They are not considered occult arts. I study a particular branch of magic dissociated with necromancy and the like. [ ... ] I wanted to see if it was possible to summon a god and how.
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So...just to satisfy curiosity? [not judging! just wondering why you had to join a whole cult to do this part.] I guess if you really didn't know what this ritual would do, that makes some sense.
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In a way.
Where I'm from, gods usually do not appear from some sort of... common ritual. So I'm interested.
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I can see why that might be of interest. [...] Have you ever seen the gods of your world then? How do they usually appear?
[and is there any way they can maybe take that principle to apply to the cult and not do a blood ritual?]
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The latter had been banished from our material plane, and the others chose to leave after the destruction.
[ haha ]
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[but...speaking of appear.]
Your cult performed a ritual on Monday to summon a monster and that's what caused Boothill to become...unstable, right? [that's a word for it.] Do you guys know what they were really trying to accomplish?
[or is it really as straightforward as "no we want one of your own to kill you."]
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Not at this time. I'm wondering if it is practice summoning for the large god they intend to summon.
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Could be. [which isn't exactly comforting either.] But if it's practice, then...what do you think the likelihood is of them trying again?
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Even without thinking it's practice, I have assumed they will likely try again until they satisfy whatever it is they're searching for.
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How often do you get to hear what the cult's plans are if you're here with us instead?
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[ great indeed. ]
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...that also means there's the possibility for even more plans down the line that we can't even predict, doesn't it?
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[ they bow their head in an affirmative nod. ]
We are attempting to find a way to learn more guarded secrets and plans.
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There isn't much you are able to do in the grand scheme of things. I'm aware. Perhaps just keep your eyes and ears open.
And focus on trying to make sure you find any people who may be afflicted by any more monster summoning if the cult chooses to continue such things going forward.
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I understand. [...] If a person were afflicted like Boothill was, and someone else noticed and...took matters into their own hands. [like just murdered them.] Would we still have to perform ritual preparations like today?
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No, actually, it shouldn't be needed, I don't believe.
[ this is not how murdergames work, but LOGICALLY ]
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I believe in the idea you all will get it.
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But if that's what we have to do, then...we'll do it that way. Unless there's a way for any of us to protect someone before they even have the chance to be afflicted. [which she doubts, but.]
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[ peering at her. ]
Is there a reason you care so much about people here you don't know?
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Is there a reason not to when we're all in the same situation? [like. yes, her priorities are cloud and yuffie, but as far as aerith is concerned everybody's at a mass disadvantage by being here, and the only way they're going to successfully figure out how to minimize damage and stop this ritual is taking care of each other and making sure people aren't easy to target or isolated.]
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