{SE} do you have a moment?

WESSEX

Earth! It’s popped up enough times with various Outlanders that Wessex is familiar with the name and nods along. “Oh yes, I know about Earth. We’ve had several people portal in from there… though from what I understand, you aren’t all… from the same time. Bastien is from there - he’s also Ascended, and also quite nice - if you want to talk to him while you’re here.” Maybe it would help put her at ease (not that she seems ill at ease) to know that she isn’t alone, and there are others, particularly amongst the Ascended, who have experienced similar things.

But as they start to talk about war, Wessex realizes that Lilianne might know far, far more than she does about it. In some ways it makes a lot of sense and the General is able to draw parallels between what the Outlander is talking about, and what’s going on here. “Ahhh, okay. So that’s like the Gods and heralds with the demigods, kind of. I imagine a true fight between our Gods would do far more damage than they want, so they poison their follower’s minds and encourage hatred and bribe with power - and let them take care of the rest. And maybe if enough people have died and damage is done, they can force a surrender?” She might call it propaganda. Wessex would call it bullshit and manipulation.

Which is in general what she thinks of the whole racket. Despite being on the better behaved side, she knows the Voice isn’t innocent - hell, she isn’t innocent. But in the grand scheme of things, she’ll clain the high road without a moment’s hesitation. Wrinkling her nose, Wessex sighs. “This war is bullshit, brought on by hate and fear and an inability to accept change. And we’re caught in the middle. Innocent people have died over it and are going to continue to die and… no one really seems to care. It sucks. I just want to explore the world and fuck, I don’t know, have a real lover one day. Instead -” She gestures helplessly to the world around them. “I’m a General. Trying to prepare my people as best I can. And half of them… don’t seem to recognize the danger.”

So what's a woman to do, when she's fighting against all that?

No, I’ll be the stone
I’ll be the hunter, a tower that casts the shade
I lie awake and watch it all