shellphones | first ⚡ a topic on summoning

Entry tags:

first ⚡ a topic on summoning

Type: Text
Sender ID: ramuhs
To: General public
Subject: Summoning other creatures and people
Warnings: None except maybe FFXVI spoilers in their respective threads?

[// PUBLIC PORTION //]
A curious question to my fellow riftfarers — to those who are capable of "summoning" or calling upon powerful beings or even people, how does it work in your world? Any particular requirements? Contracts?

And have you any luck doing so while here? Any changes you've discovered?

[This is a general broadcast type post, so anyone can threadhop if they'd like to swap stories or anything! Cid will be reading everything...with very keen interest.]

[// PRIVATE TO FFXVI CAST //]

In case you're wondering what this is about, while on that ghost ship a girl somehow managed to summon me from a rock she had—materia she called it. She also knew about Ramuh and some of the other Eikons from our world.

Given there was no warning and that she might not be the only one, thought I should give everyone a heads up. For now I'll be trying some tests with her to see how it works and will share the results.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hmmm.

He could probably loosen up, given what he already has in mind. But he's going to push a little more.]

Let me ask you this. Is the thing you're making destructive? Would it harm others?

[It's clear she doesn't want to talk about what it is, and that's what gives Cid pause. What could it be that she's trying to make that she has to be secretive about it? To survive? And while she appears trustworthy enough to not be making some kind of weapon, he's not one to just blindly accept a deal that could harm others—no matter how much it would benefit him and the rest.

And he knows the others would feel similarly.]

[ Her brow cinches, and she’s quick to reply. ]

No, of course not.

[ She seems insulted that he would suggest it! ]

[Hey, he has to be sure. But her answer does amuse him.]

To your proposal, I'd have to ask the others...but I think I already know the answer.

But even if not, I'll still help with your request, see what I can do. Can't make any promises as it may be difficult finding what you want. However, I have a condition.

I want to be involved in whatever you're trying to make.

[In other words, he wants to see what it is she's doing. Supervise.]

[ A lengthy pause precedes her answer as she weighs the offer.

And she considers, if only for a moment: what would Class 0’s “Mother” say? ]

…Okay. [ A hint of reservation wears her tone, and then she adds: ]

But you can’t tell anyone else.

[ SHE EXTENDS HER HAND. People do that with deals right?? ]

[......HM. Normally he would take that head readily, but a certain bird is harping in the back of his mind. So he's staring at it for a moment before he looks up at her.]

At least let me inform my group. They were part of this initial negotiation, and I would need their help if I'm to find this elusive material of yours.

[ Ah.

Her hand lowers, but just slightly. ]

…Who else?

[ More than him and Jill, it seems. ]

There's seven of us in total.

[Which he can guess would be quite significant.]

Me and Jill you've met. Clive, Dion, Joshua, and Benedikta are the other four Dominants at risk of being summoned, so only natural they should know the full extent of this deal if I'm to tell them of your offer.

[A small pause before his expression softens.]

Then there is my daughter who is not at risk, but she's a genius and has a knack for building from anything you give her. Not to mention she's used to working with material similar to what you've described.

[A light smile.]

Actually about your age, I reckon.

Edited 2023-11-15 22:50 (UTC)

[ "Seven--" Her eyes widen at the mere mention of the number, and her fingers almost curl back into her palm. Almost, because as he lists the names, familiarity flashes within her eyes at the mention of one other upon it. Seven people are a lot more with whom to share this with, when she would far prefer discretion. Yet there are six of these people who, potentially, can seize the reigns of their power back into their own, if Rem is able to help them even just temporarily.

Jill. Jill is kind. A touch reserved when it comes to being silly, but she saw the spark of it there, the interest in trying new things, the parrot of a pun in return. They had spoken of attending a cat-cafe together, and Rem is certain she will enjoy it.

And Joshua-- he is soft-natured, helpful. He had promised to sing for her next they meet, and with this, Rem is certain he will be fairly terrible at it.

As for Cid... She thought him shrewd, but here he is saying he must inform his brethren even when, without a set deal, he can lose this potential opportunity her magic provides. She would think having this option would allow for some measure of silence to others, especially if it could ultimately benefit them.

...But then it occurs to her that it doesn't matter; throughout their conversation, he's plied information out of her, piecemealed at a pace that she hadn't caught, to the point that she's told more than enough. Now he knows she'll be searching for a hallowed relic regardless, now he knows she wishes for as few others as possible to know, and if she withdraws, now he can tell the others anyway for what she seeks. If this had been his ploy all along, she'd fallen into it like the naïve girl she is. Negotiations are not her strong suit.

Yet, it doesn't seem he means any ill-will, even if it's become obvious that the upper hand has always been his own. That's not shrewd. That, too, is kind, the same sort within Jill and Joshua. ]

[ Her hand stays lifted, her fingers uncurling.

What would that "mother" say to this, indeed. They have standing orders to kill those who know such classified information. If Eikons are anything like Eidolons, it would be foolish to take them all at once.

Moreover, it's not as if Cid knows everything, and perhaps that ignorance is how it may stay, the saving grace. As far as she knows, Cid cannot see souls. He wouldn't know what she's making.

(And. And.... she doesn't want to. She doesn't want to kill; she doesn't want to forg--) ]

[ Throughout her internal deliberation, Cid will see her falter, her eyes darting away, closing, then opening to a strengthened resolve. When it seems she's come to a conclusion, her gaze raises, and she gives him a nod. ]

Deal.

[He watches her deliberate, and he wouldn't have been surprised if she revoked the deal, or at least part of it. Yet, he could tell that she was genuine in her desire to help, and equally as desperate to make whatever it is she's seeking. All the more reasons for him to be concerned. There are all sorts of people out there in this world, and while she's clearly capable...

....

Negotiations and such are clearly not her strong suit. Nor should they be, not for someone her age. So he does worry that if he's not able to secure her to their side, she may fall to someone with more ill intentions or be swindled entirely. Someone who may try to take advantage and take this project of hers for their own. At least with their group, he know she will be safe.

...Benedikta a little questionable, but he can at least work with her on that. (Hopefully—)

Of course here he is also working out a strategy, utilizing his own experience to overwhelm and get the upper hand, so perhaps he's not much better. Not to mention he's doing this without consulting the others first. He's not making any hard and fast decisions yet, but he's already set his mind in one way or another.

But this girl... She just reminds him too much of those he's seen pass under his watch, both as the former Lord Commander and as the outlaw leader of the Hideaway.

So when she finally makes her decision with that determined gaze he smiles.]

Bear in mind I still have to talk to the rest. But as I said, regardless of our decision, I myself am interested in helping you one way or another. So long as you understand then—

[He takes her hand.]

We have an agreement.

[ Her fingers curl around his, then give his hand a definitely shake. Afterwards she withdraws her hand, allowing it to fall to her side.

She’ll do this. She needs this. May the Crystal guide her thus.

There’s something else she wishes to ask, though. ]

Um, Cid… whether or not this works, I’d need to know which Eidol— Eikons not to call until then. [ What happened with Jill isn’t something she wishes to repeat. For reasons of her own, and the new knowledge that them becoming Eikons costs them. ]

Edited 2023-11-16 14:30 (UTC)

You can summon more than one?

[That earns her an arch of the brow, but given what he's learned about summoning so far, it doesn't seem so farfetched. Perhaps seeing someone in person and someone so young with that kind of power makes it harder to believe.]

...As you might have read in the other texts, I am Ramuh, and you already know Jill is Shiva. Clive is Ifrit, Joshua is the Phoenix, Dion is Bahamut, and Benedikta is Garuda.

[ She makes a note of the summons’ names. With all those listed of who not to call, she will be restricted to two of her own. ]

Mm. [ An affirmative sound. ] I take it that a Dominant can only manifest one Eikon, then. Like it’s a part of you.

In some ways.

[And he's going to slowly pull out a thin cigar, lighting it with the tip of his finger with a spark of electricity.]

There can only be one Dominant per Eikon at a time, with a new one only chosen after death. Even then it could take years. The Eikon will also decide who it chooses as its vessel, and while bloodlines are tied to it, only one family continued that tradition while the rest were lost in time. Thus it makes it surprising when you find yourself chosen as one.

[And with his tone of voice, it's clear he's one of those.]

[ ”Chosen as one”, meaning they weren’t given even that decision. Even the Crystals are much more lenient with whom they select (not entirely true, a part of her swiftly tells herself, only for that thought to be just as quickly brushed away). Still, a “surprise” like that sounds unpleasant. He and others like him would have no way of knowing before hand, to say nothing of having no mentor or guidance after.

Her nose crinkles at the smell of smoke, but she looks at him sympathetically. ]

I can’t imagine that there’s a “How-To-Dominant 101” class afterward, I can’t…

[ It must have been frightening, to say the least. Rem’s hands clasp together, another thought occurring to her. ] …Can I ask you something? [ From her reserves tone, it seems she means to ask something about him that’s a little more personal. ]

Edited 2023-11-17 16:05 (UTC)

If only things were so simple.

[A small, rueful laugh as he remembers his own awakening, and then years later by luck Benedikta's.]

But sure, what is it?

[ Eikons are tied to bloodlines, he’d mentioned, with some lineages being lost to time. This would lead to an inability to narrow down who would likely be the next Dominant within all the branches of a family. Additionally, the way he speaks of Eikons suggests that they have their own will, or at least a capacity to select their next vessel. It begs the question of why that particular person within that line.

Perhaps Eikons inhabit their chosen at birth. But unless the Eikon is clairvoyant, they wouldn’t be choosing someone based on merits, values, or personality. Convictions are developed later in life, not at infancy, not to mention how ideals can change.

Perhaps Eikons choose someone when they’re older. Cid is older. …But this doesn’t follow, seeing as Jill and Joshua are not. The former had mentioned the price it demands from them. ”Ultimately, your life.”

She’ll forget them all, then, should they succumb to that toll here. How long they have left would depend on the extent of their Eikon use and the age at which they discovered they were Dominants. With this thought comes another, swift and vicious and troubling, causing her expression to fall: she wonders how, after just meeting them—…

How much time she has left recalling their names, that they existed, that she made promises to try cat cafes, sing sea shanties, or even explore magical options to prevent accidental summonings.

Rem elevates her gaze, her tone more somber. ]

How… young were you? When you found out that you were a Dominant?

[Oh? Oblivious to what Rem is thinking, Cid finds the question innocent enough. But as he thinks back on those times, times he doesn't often anymore, a hand slowly runs over his mouth and chin before he answers.]

Eighteen.

[The hand falls as he continues.]

A bit late compared to most Dominants, but there have been later. However, I was also born outside Valisthea, where the Mothercrystals and Eikons were. Came there as a sellsword two years prior.

Why Ramuh decided to wake up then, I couldn't tell you.

[ Eighteen... Her eyes widen, close, and then open with sorrow. While she doesn't know his actual age, she can imagine the decades or so that followed his awakening being difficult. She knows what it's like to wither, but she doesn't know what it's like to wither for so long. ]

I'm glad you're still here. [ Genuinely, too, despite the tension earlier in their conversation.

She's glad that he's here. She's glad that this also means Jill and Joshua have more time, so long as they use discretion with their Eikons-- if she's following this correctly. ] It can't be easy. Erm, being Dominant, I mean.

[...Ha ha. If she only knew the truth. But her words are a bit surprising, moreso because this is the first time they've really met. So he can only perceive her sentiment as both a platitude and something that speaks to her character, which makes him smile a bit.]

Because I might be able to help with that little pet project of yours?

[A wink as he's clearly teasing her before he takes on a more serious demeanor.]

But a Dominant's life is not easy, no. Even those who are lauded as heroes or celebrated for their strength and power are all but tools in the end. So it's up to the individual to determine their own fate, whether to follow it or choose how they want to live and die.

[ She catches the wink, and her stance relaxes, somewhat, but-- oh. His words resonate a little too much at the end, and there it is again, the red sky and sea flashing through her mind. She blinks it away.

Something else clicks, though, and she whispers: ] That's why you want this freedom...

You've could have had it here if it weren't for the accidental summons. [ Rem did so accidentally, but there might be someone, otherworlder or local, who won't be so kind. Whether or not they'd still be able to control them is another matter entirely, but either way, it's frightening to think about. ]

[A wry smile.]

While that is part of it, you needn't look like that. Unexpected as it is, aside from just being pulled to some random location, so far that's all there is to it. We're not bound to do anything and can walk away without issue, and so far those who are aware of it are quite understanding.

However, as you can guess we can't always trust in luck or that something else can't be fashioned in this world to do something more than that. It's why I'd rather be prepared and nip this in the bud, as it were.

So while a bit unfortunate, you could say it's also a good thing. We caught it early enough to act on it.

Better to act first, with something like that...

[ And, because she doesn't want to sound as if she's pitying them, but instead hopeful for them, she adds: ]

At least, you won't have to worry about being summoned by me. I won't dare again.

Edited (someone -> something) 2023-11-20 22:07 (UTC)

Given the cost it has on you, I should hope not. But out of curiosity, who can you summon?

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