text; @Goldilocks, after April fight

[likemybooks]

[Everyone has to know. Some saw what happens to Ereshkigal during the fight, some only know that she disappeared. As the one responsible, Taryon feels he's deserved the position on breaking the bad news to ll Outsiders.]

It is with a heavy heart that I must relay to you all that our friend Ereshkigal is not with us any longer.

She was thrown into a Rift by the kaiju and vanished.

She fought valiantly and tried to protect me even in her last moments.

I'm sorry. I wish we didn't suffer such a heavy loss in this fight.

- Taryon Darrington

Comments

@rubber ducky

[curingidiocy]

[ There aren't any words to describe the feeling that overcomes Ratio at this post, but at the same time, a part of him is filled with doubt. ]

...I have solid grounds to believe that she has not passed. However... I am unable to determine, exactly, has happened to her.

[likemybooks]

I want to hope she's okay. I hope she can find a way out. Maybe she won't die like I did.

[He knows that sometimes, people disappear and can't be rescued. And without a body, could LILITH bring her back, even without her memories?]

[curingidiocy]

Given the deleterious effects of the rift, I do not believe she will come out of it unscathed. However, until we find her, we must keep trying despite our doubts.

With any luck, she will be found quickly. I will focus on all avenues we have to attempt to rescue her.

[ He's got his contract with Ereshkigal to mess with first, but after, he'll push to have the plugsuits upgraded as quickly as possible. ]

[likemybooks]

Thank you, Dr. Ratio.

You are far more compassionate that I had initially estimated. [Considering how cold their first interaction after Taryon's revival was.]

[curingidiocy]

So has oft been said.

[ He's used to being misunderstood, especially from first impression, and he doesn't particularly care to correct any misconceptions people may have of him. ]

Whatever you may believe about me, know that I am not so cruel as to abandon comrades when they need aid.

[likemybooks]

[Taryon is glad to see that his neighbor does have a good heart, but his messaging is interrupted by a strange rumor, and now he must be nosy and investigate.]

I trust that you never mean any harm to your teammates, but I was told that something happened between you and Ereshkigal in the past. Is everything alright?

Was alright?

[curingidiocy]

[ ??? Plenty of things have happened between him and Ereshkigal in the past, but..

—Ah. ]

Tch, that damn gambler... it isn't something you need to concern yourself with. He is still under the impression that my injuries from the battle in Egypt have do with Ereshkigal. They were the result of my carelessness; that's all.

[likemybooks]

Seriously? But she's not a vindictive goddess. Why would she try to hurt you?

But are you okay now?

[curingidiocy]

As I said, she is unrelated to my injuries. We have an agreement that is meant to help her in combat. That is the furthest I will explain the circumstances.

I am fine.

[likemybooks]

I feel like this is a concerning arrangement or you have some sort of deal with her like a paladin or warlock would.

Which is something that happens where I'm from and is usually fine.

Does this mean you can still sense her?

[curingidiocy]

If you must know, I lent her a hand from afar which resulted in a lapse of concentration. As a result, the kaiju attacked me and injured me. As you can see, the mistake lies solely with me and has nothing to do with Ereshkigal. Are you satisfied?

[ Maybe if he'd just said that in the first place Aventurine and subsequently Taryon wouldn't have gotten the wrong idea, but Ratio can sometimes be too secretive for his own good. ]

Unfortunately, no. My presumption is that she is still alive as our contract has not been broken, but I otherwise have no more information than any other person.

[likemybooks]

[Damn, Ratio, maybe secrets aren't all that great.]

How can you tell? Is there some magic going on with this contract? I assume you have access to new powers as long as she's alive.

But that means she's still alive.

[Oh thank...whatever god he should thank here. They have a living reminder that there's still time to save her. As long as Ratio is with them, there is hope.]

This is the best news I've gotten so far.

[curingidiocy]

I can sense a faint thread of energy that stretches out from my person that did not exist before the establishment of the contract. Presumably, that means she is still alive.

Admittedly, I am not familiar with the principles underlying this bond, so there is a chance that I may be speaking falsely, but that is a possibility I will not give credence to unless I am given evidence to believe it.

[likemybooks]

That's fair. This isn't a hypothesis with a lot of research backing it, but what new discoveries haven't been made without bold leaps? We have to try.


Thank you, by the way. I feel better about her chances.

[curingidiocy]

Exactly. While it would be wise to progress prudently, we must also act with haste and hope in our hearts.

[ He says that, but what he fears is that she'll be found affected by the Rifts in a manner that can't be reversed. Even then, she'd be alive and that meant he had to try. ]

Do not thank me. I was not trying to console you. I simply cannot have you wallowing in grief when there is still a chance she may be rescued.