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PLAN TIME
[ Beast waits until the next morning to say anything to the rest of the group, in part because it's a little late when they get home and he doesn't want to gather everyone on short notice and also because he needs some time to collect himself. First thing in the morning though he sends the message through discordia. ]
@ everyone
The Authority has been found.
She's one of the regulars at the Phantasma Fantastique that Sir Lion described. There is no doubt about it, she confirmed it once she realized what I was. I fortunately managed to record the conversation between us and I will upload it as soon as [ he figures out how ] I am able to.
I would like to propose a meeting at the mansion in Invidia this afternoon so we can pool together any other knowledge we have and start to formulate a plan. It should be easier to figure one out in person than over messages. If you know of any new Executors or ones who don't check their phone as often be sure to let them know.
[ He pauses a moment, thinking something over, before quickly adding: ]
On another note, I would like to make a personal request.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could all try calling me Achilles for the next little while.
Lately I have been thinking of picking a new name for myself and am quite fond of this one so I would like to hear how it sounds coming from everyone else before I make up my mind. Don't worry though, I will still respond to Beast if you call me that instead.
Thank you. I shall see you all later today.
[ A few hours later, with some help from Rei, the audio file gets uploaded to the group chat. The irrelevant stuff with the "masked guest" and security has been cut so all it includes is his conversation with Greta from beginning to end, but he still provides a time stamp to when she reveals herself for anyone that wants to get to the point. The audio quality is shockingly well for being in his pocket the whole time, so both he and Greta can be heard clearly. (because that'll just make it easier for all of us) In case anyone misses it or needs a refresher, he plays it again at the meeting, right at the start.
Now, let's hash this out. ]
@ everyone
The Authority has been found.
She's one of the regulars at the Phantasma Fantastique that Sir Lion described. There is no doubt about it, she confirmed it once she realized what I was. I fortunately managed to record the conversation between us and I will upload it as soon as [ he figures out how ] I am able to.
I would like to propose a meeting at the mansion in Invidia this afternoon so we can pool together any other knowledge we have and start to formulate a plan. It should be easier to figure one out in person than over messages. If you know of any new Executors or ones who don't check their phone as often be sure to let them know.
[ He pauses a moment, thinking something over, before quickly adding: ]
On another note, I would like to make a personal request.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could all try calling me Achilles for the next little while.
Lately I have been thinking of picking a new name for myself and am quite fond of this one so I would like to hear how it sounds coming from everyone else before I make up my mind. Don't worry though, I will still respond to Beast if you call me that instead.
Thank you. I shall see you all later today.
[ A few hours later, with some help from Rei, the audio file gets uploaded to the group chat. The irrelevant stuff with the "masked guest" and security has been cut so all it includes is his conversation with Greta from beginning to end, but he still provides a time stamp to when she reveals herself for anyone that wants to get to the point. The audio quality is shockingly well for being in his pocket the whole time, so both he and Greta can be heard clearly. (because that'll just make it easier for all of us) In case anyone misses it or needs a refresher, he plays it again at the meeting, right at the start.
Now, let's hash this out. ]
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—Ah but that was my own fault though. I should not have brought up something potentially sensitive like that.
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[Phoenix paused, adjusting his sunglasses while he tried to figure out how to approach a complex subject.]
...Do you trust him?
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[ He doesn’t even hesitate. ]
As I trust all of you— well, except maybe Wolfsbane, even putting aside today’s ordeal.
[ Insert Arrested Development meme here ]
...Why do you ask though? Did something happen?
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[Of course he trusted 'Chiron'. He'd never been given any real reason not to.]
He and I have known for a while that we knew one another when we were still alive. But more recent revelations have made it...complicated, and I find myself unsure of what to do or how to proceed.
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Ah, I see now. That's what you meant before.
I did not know you two knew each other in life. I suppose that would... make things rather awkward.
[ Especially if like. The memories are BAD. Which he is getting the impression might be the case. ]
no subject
[He reached up and tapped the left side of his sunglasses.]
...I'm aware how this is about to sound and it isn't the case, but this happened to me in a fight against him.
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There's something about his demeanor that shifts and goes cold. ]
...What sort of fight?
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I'm not--I don't want you to think badly of Chiron. I don't even truly think badly of Chiron, but I think he does that more than enough to himself now. I'm worried about him, and I'm worried 'Chiron' might lose himself to someone far, far worse.
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I don't think badly of him. You... all are like kin to me regardless of who you once were, and what matters to me most is how you act now and what you do with your memories. Chiron has always treated me well, and I intend to continue to do the same in kind.
But this... is indeed worrisome. I see now why you have been having trouble with it--
[ He stops for a moment and tilts his head. ]
...Oh. This might explain why last night...
[ But he trails off, frowning. ]
no subject
...Did he say something?
no subject
Well... I’ll be frank, this could very well just be an overreaction on my part. I feel... very silly and embarrassed about it now. I felt very certain that it was all my own fault for being too sensitive - and honestly I still feel that way, but talking about this whole matter with you now perhaps puts some new light on it.
Basically I... wanted to let Chiron know that he could come to me with any struggles he was having. That if he ever needed anything... I would always be there to help him.
...He told me to try not to make promises I can’t keep. It... was rather innocuous now that I’ve looked back, but something about it very much caught me off guard.
no subject
[Sighing, Phoenix took off his sunglasses and pressed a hand to his eyes.]
I think he's afraid. Of who he was, and what he might become should we all remember further of who all of us once were. On one side, perhaps he is right to be; the person in my memories was a monster without question, but I do not know how to tell him that I don't believe that's Chiron. Or that I think it doesn't have to be.
no subject
[ It would also certainly explain bouncing and disappearing for a few days. ]
I am also at a loss though as to how to tell him. It feels... like it would be easy to brush off anything we could say.
no subject
[And definitely only worried about Chiron, nothing to do with himself. Obviously.]
no subject
And what of you? I know you’re worried for Chiron, but what of yourself, Phoenix?
no subject
[phoenix,]
1/2
no subject
Yet you currently seem most worried about someone else. I know you said your feelings are difficult to sort through but... will you be all right? Do you need help?
no subject
[Why did he keep having this compulsion to brush off everyone's concern? It didn't make any reasonable sense, and yet it felt like something hard-coded into his soul regardless of memory or lack thereof.]
...don't know. I don't even remember his name, and Chiron couldn't tell me either. But I know he was important--that he was everything to me, to the point where I really don't care what I sacrificed to help him.
And I don't know what to do from here. I want to trust Chiron--I do, but at the same time I can't get this recollection out of my head.
no subject
...I understand. There is someone like that in my memories as well; someone important who I only remember as being important and nothing else... so I know those emotions well.
[ That’s right... the woman who held him as the Beastial forest - his home - burned to the ground, the one whose face, name and voice he cannot yet remember, only the feelings in his chest when he was near her. The woman who he knew was almost as important to him as his son, though in a completely different way. It was frustrating and upsetting not remembering more of someone so clearly dear to him, so the things Phoenix says strike particularly close to home.
But this is not about him. He’s talked plenty about himself to Chiron and Rei. This is about Phoenix. ]
For what it’s worth Phoenix, I think it’s very noble of you to still want to trust Chiron. To worry about him despite this. A lesser man may immediately jump to a more violent or hateful response, and I think it’s commendable that you want to give him a chance at all.
But I also feel... it is okay for you to distrust him as well, even if just a little bit. You have more than enough valid reason to and trusting Chiron need not be mutually exclusive from distrusting the man he once was or could still be.
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...You realize that is a dangerous way of thinking, don’t you? Putting yourself aside for “more important things”. You’re setting yourself up for a great fall with a mindset like that.
[ Shit like that is why Chiron was always getting on your ass!! ]
no subject
[beast he just admitted to basically burning his eyes out for someone else without a second thought what do you expect]
That way of thinking just...feels natural, to me. As though it's all I've ever known.
no subject
...I can understand. There are... unhealthy behaviors that come naturally to me as well [ like defaulting to guilt and blaming himself ] as if baked into my core. But that doesn't change that they are unhealthy.
I'm not saying to never put others first, or that being willing to do whatever it takes to protect someone important to you is somehow inherently horrible. I would have maimed or sacrificed myself in an instant if it meant protecting my son. But you can't disregard yourself entirely, physically or emotionally. If you keep doing that, eventually you'll be no use to anyone when it counts.