[To All: 18th June]

[shinrasfinest]

[For those that know of Sephiroth's penchant for sending Mognet mail directly via Spencer and not via the duplication systems in place at Mognet Central will be surprised to note that this letter will come through in the morning in the usual way. Either Sephiroth has conveniently forgotten why, or this really is a message intended for all that might read it.]

This may come as something of a late announcement, I hope that you can accept my apologies for the silence.

I recently returned from Crystal Stasis, and it seems that a vision of my future has indeed already come to pass.

But, everything will be alright. I know that now.

~Sephiroth

[ooc: Sephiroth came out of stasis on 16th June and has spent the last two days in the hospital, at his own request - to 're-adjust'. Partly at Spencer's suggestion, but mostly to give himself the time to remember...and to process. (Updated info post)

Will be followed by a open-log, tomorrow.]

Comments

[shinrasfinest]

[Excepting the first message and Sephiroth's replies to Kalki which were sent purposefully 'To All', all of Sephiroth's mognet mail are hand delivered by Spencer, or if his own moogle were busy with another task he'd call in a favor from an old friend or distant cousin to perform the delivery for him. As such, Sephiroth isn't jarred at all by Vincent suddenly catching on and sending personal, direct mail also. Spencer will even give Ophelia a thumbs up or a 'good job' pat on the back!]

That possibility depends very much on the fact that those events may have chronologically already come to pass, only I am picked out from earlier in the timeline of our Planet and so have no personal experience of the same.

Given previous experiences, I'm more than half-way convinced that our crystals contain the cumulative sum of all of our existence; both our past and our future.

I've also spent way too many a sleepless night, as a result in trying to fathom what I might do about it. When the answer is that there simply isn't one.

As for advice, I could give plenty but it would be blatant hypocrisy on my part, at this point.

~Sephiroth

[bloodypast]

[Ophelia hadn't really learned of the mognet bug, so she was puzzled at the praise for directly delivering mail. She accepted it all the same, and appreciated it with a nod and thanks.]

You posit that our crystals contain, in a sense, all that we are or could be. We are mere shells then, with memories and personalities, beholden to these crystals? Much like the old tales of sorcerers and wizards who would hide their soul in something else as protection.

How long have you been here, Sephiroth? I only just arrived shortly before whatever happened. I've been told that our appearance at the Crystal of Wind was a new phenomena. There may not be an answer, but perhaps some sense can still be made.

--Valentine

[shinrasfinest]

Not quite. In fact I'm led to believe that it might well be the other way around. I would suggest that the crystals we bear may well be a by-product of some process that allows our physical integration into Crystallis. It's not a standard by any means, but my own crystal is shaped in a particular way that can only be relevant to myself.

Of course this theory is drawn from much assumption and extrapolation, you understand. I've not even any inkling of how I could go about proving it.

[Sorry, Vin. Those science-genes are showing a little.]

I have been here for almost a whole year now.

With regard to the Crystal of Wind, you're correct in that it was a new occurrance. The previous arrival cycle took place at the Crystal of Earth, before it was subsequently overrun by the Calamity, and previously to that it had always been the Crystal of Fire.

Recently Kalki has managed to interfere with the process which only ever had Heroes arrive at the Crystal of Fire, unless something has since changed, this Crystal remains somehow 'cut-off'.

There are many theories with regards to where the next arrival cycle might fall. If Earth has truly been annexed by the Calamity, then it leaves only Water or Wind.

~Sephiroth

[bloodypast]

Then your positing our crystal contains everything that would make us 'different' from the natives here, save for the fact we can hold 2 Jobs, so as to make us fit in. I've not had much chance to look into it, but a viable avenue of research might be to look into what is known about former Heroes of Light. Others have mentioned we're not the 'first' group.

As for the personalized 'shape', that might simply be a by-product of containing part of our souls. My comment about being like sorcerers and wizard phylacteries still stands then. My own is a simple crystal, shaped into an orb.

[Hey, Vincent's the son of a scientist too, and not unintelligent. So long as neither starts cackling madly? it's all good.]

Do the natives of Crystallis hold any opinion for elemental cycles? While the classical 4 elements do not function as such a cycle generally, there are variants that hold a 5th, usually Metal or Wood, (when one of these 2 does not also replace 'wind') and each element leads into the other, depending upon what effect is desired.

For example: Fire---->Earth---->Metal---->Water---->Wood---->back to Fire.

Reading has always been a hobby; it might become a necessity here.

--Valentine

[shinrasfinest]

My point, is that there is very little available for us to go about proving it one way or the other. Crystal physics are for the most part an unexplored science and only a handful actively study the same; Jessie being the head of said group here in Aqures, and she is only one Tarutaru.

I suppose that would depend on how elemental physics correlate when compared to our Planet, or any other for that matter.

There are books by the thousand in one library or another but as you no doubt appreciate, we don't have lifetimes to dedicate to studying.

~Sephiroth

[bloodypast]

I've yet to really make the acquaintance of her or any of those I've been told are our 'handlers' so to speak.

One last question. I'm well aware ammunition is difficult to come by. You have been here longer, what would you recommend? (Besides learning another weapon, which I'm disinclined to do at this moment in time.)

--Valentine

[shinrasfinest]

'Handlers' wouldn't be the right word. They are, for all intents and purposes, benefactors to the Kingdom of Aqures Ixen in the absence of the Queen who left instructions for them to help us where needed. She prophesied our return to this World.

There was a period where there wasn't a lot of trust harbored between the Heroes and those three, but I should hope that such petty argument would be put to one side now that the greater threat is revealed to us.

For a firearm? I can't say that I'm well-versed in how the Gunner Job operates other than I know some magics can be used to benefit the same. I would certainly suggest that you ask around, there are a handful of good weapon smiths in the City.

Though I will say, you might find that if it's a firearm from home it might need some adjustment made for it to house the ammunition here; or you could purchase a new one.

Finally, no matter your level of skill before, don't be alarmed to find it greatly reduced. Take it from my experience, it will take some adjustment.

~Sephiroth

[bloodypast]

I arrived a freelancer. I am currently holding Gunner and Red Mage. Ophelia (and Mooshoo, given I am housemates with Yuffie and her moogle) were thorough in explaining the system here. I do indeed have a firearm from home, and have met one smith already. They were a little too eager to inspect both it and my gauntlet though.

I am aware there will be adjustment, and it is frustrating. If you do hear anything or find a good resource, I would appreciate knowing. Thank you.

--Valentine