[jaunt] [week 1 - backdated to before Jules's death] Royally screwed up

[razorblade_empress]

Met Chloe's overlay a little while ago. She gave me a warning about a pair of siblings, Ghalib and Chara. Says the brother, Ghalib, spends a lot of time recruiting people to Dreampush for him, and oddly enough, the people he recruits become really enthusiastic about Dreampushing for him, to the point that they go out recruiting for him. Given that whoever you're Dreampushing for has total access to your mind while you're 'Pushing and can basically do whatever the hell they want to your thoughts and emotions, I've gotta say that this sounds a little suspicious.

I mean, I'm not sure I trust Chloe's overlay either, but still.

The sister, Chara, supposedly only approaches guys, but she actually did come over and talk to me earlier. I did a quick perspective read on her, and that added another wrinkle to all this: she's royalty. Specifically, she's sister to the king in hiding, who I'm assuming is Ghalib, unless they've got another sibling hidden away somewhere. Chara feels her purpose is to support her brother, the 'rightful Protector of the Umbrian Vale,' and to ensure the line of Malion doesn't end with them. Which probably explains why she primarily approaches men - they need an heir, and responsibility for that's fallen on her. Everything else is secondary to her responsibilities.

Malion, incidentally, was the last god-king. My memory of our last trip here is woefully incomplete, but assuming I'm matching dates correctly in my head, he was still in charge when we were here last, and the Overmind was still a thing.

For the record, Chara is Thorne's overlay. I'm blanking on who 'Ghalib' is normally, but he's also one of us. Short guy, overlay walks with a limp. [There's a short pause while she shares the memory of the likenesses Hana had shown her; 'Chara' is indeed Thorne, while 'Ghalib' is Gil.] These two. Be careful about letting them into your minds, especially him.

Comments

[comebewe]

I might have called it invasive and incredibly vulnerable to abuse. And told him that nothing he could give us would be worth giving up our own mind.

[razorblade_empress]

Well, you're not wrong...

[comebewe]

But apparently being that vocal about it is a bit...unusual. We think he's a little suspicious of us, now.

[razorblade_empress]

Some of that is probably the culture here, with the way it's so expected that you're willing to share your energy and whatnot. That cultural mindset probably makes it a hell of a lot easier for him to talk people into 'Pushing for him in general.

[comebewe]

The cultural mindset is exactly what makes it so easy to abuse. I doubt Ghalib's the only one to do so.

[razorblade_empress]

Probably not. The honor system only goes so far. In his case, though, I think he was probably raised to feel entitled to it - true Protector of the Umbrian Vale and all that shit.

[comebewe]

Yes, because clearly the best way to protect other people is to violate their minds.

[why yes, the sarcasm is strong with Matthew]

[razorblade_empress]

Clearly.

{And also with Yukki.]