://PROGRAM/001_VIDEO

[needtobecleaned]

[There's a pair of crimson eyes gazing into the PDA's screen, blue hair framing her face and a strange piece of head gear that most certainly can't be called a helmet. There's no expression on her face, she's quite serious right now. Ensuring that she wasn't there alone had been her first priority after the Valkyrie had brought her. There was a vague sense of relief that she wouldn't admit to, when she found three names listed: Gaignun Kukai Junior, Shion Uzuki and Wilhelm.

Mary's Will responded to the last name but not enough that either one would switch control right now.]

I am KOS-MOS, an Anti-Gnosis Annihilation Weapon. I was brought here, as most of you were, by the Valkyrie to defend this place.

I have a priority that supersedes that however. Shion. I request that we meet somewhere as soon as possible. I can be located, at most times, in the Palace District where I have been assigned residence. Or I can come find you. My programming allows me to keep track of your life readings.

Comments

[ video ]

[oforder]

I was wondering when you would arrive... Mary.

[ Wilhelm leans forward in his seat behind his desk. His room is small, dark, and illuminated only by some candles, a small oil lamp, and the Compass of Order and Chaos. Beyond that, the room is entirely unremarkable, meant likely to conceal his location. It's just the sound of his voice, and the soft sound of Richard Wagner's music from a nearby phonograph. ]

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

[There's a pause and then KOS-MOS blinks, eyes changing to blue when she opens them again.]

You knew that I was coming?

[She eyes the Compass. Of course.]

But you didn't know when?

[ video ]

[oforder]

More specifically, I didn't know when you would be brought here. Admittedly, that is one of my favorite designs for your new vessel.

[ Is he... mocking her? Or does he actually mean that? It's hard to tell with Wilhelm. He doesn't even know what the intent of that was. ]

The nature of this world is capable of confusing even the Compass. I knew that you would be arriving, only I did not know which form of KOS-MOS it would be, or what your memories would consist of.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I am... fairly fond of this design as well.

[She can't even tell, really.]

It must be very disorienting, for you.

[ video ]

[oforder]

Are you?

[ So much for modesty, Mary. Not that Wilhelm's focused on Kevin's apparent meticulous focus on making KOS-MOS as sexy as possible. THOSE MEMES TOTALLY DON'T COUNT. ]

Perhaps, in a way. I find it more fascinating than discouraging, however.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I am. This body is much more sturdy now and I... feel more comfortable in it, than I did in those few instances that I woke up.

[She's thinking about this in a much more modest way than he thinks. No, no they don't.]

That's something I would expect to hear from you. Nothing ever disturbs you, does it?

[ video ]

[oforder]

It is not the last form that you will take, Mary. At least, in our timeline.

[ Wilhelm almost smiles at what she says next. Almost. ]

I did not foresee the Valkyries' invitation. I had thought, perhaps, that suddenly, I were capable of dreaming. And yet, here we are. Tell me, Mary: How greatly would you desire an alternative to the Eternal Recurrence?

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

It is not?

[Nobody has ever seen him smile, have they?]

I would do anything to find an alternative. I'm sure you already know that, though.

[ video ]

[oforder]

I was hoping you would say that.

[ Wilhelm leans forward a bit more in his seat. ]

Because you might very well need to.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

[Cryptic as usual, of course. What else could be expected of him though.]

Such as what?

[ video ]

[oforder]

When the time comes, Mary, it will become obvious. And I will expect your cooperation. Do you understand?

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I will cooperate, of course.

[ video ]

[oforder]

I am pleased to know that I can still trust you.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

You know that you can. We both have the best interests of the universe, at heart, after all. Only our preferred methods ever differed.

Re: [ video ]

[oforder]

No price is too great when the fate of the universe is at stake.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I'm not entirely sure about that. It feels like we're betraying their trust, thinking that way.

[ video ]

[oforder]

Unfortunately, humans are incapable of saving themselves. There is no other option. This is the way that it has to be.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I... I know that.

[ video ]

[oforder]

Then you will understand when I say that I desire an alternative to the Eternal Recurrence, as well. It was never meant to be a permanent solution.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I do understand, better than most people.

Re: [ video ]

[oforder]

Of course. I never doubted you for a moment. Else, you would not be given the flesh you now wear as your own.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

No, of course not. You never were the type of person to do something unless it helped in the long run.

[ video ]

[oforder]

You are necessary to ensure Yeshua's power is properly contained.

[ video ]

[needtobecleaned]

I know but he isn't here right now.

[ video ]

[oforder]

And yet, here you are.

Yeshua will arrive soon enough, I am sure. One way or another. Even he knows what will happen if he still exists in our universe, without either you or myself to contain him.