Hien gave me the warning that Skeith is looking for emotional reactions to death, it might be frustrated with the sample if it doesn't show as much emotion in general, much less in reaction to death.
If Hien's admin skills are still in tact once he becomes Skeith...we'll be in for a difficult battle.
[ Slight incline of his head towards Sinclair at this revelation. ]
...I see. Frustration with the sample sounds like it could be a double-edged sword.
[ But...Hien would not have said that if he thought it might give them a good edge.
Somehow, he feels that maybe it wouldn't be exactly a terrible thing, but he doesn't wish to jump to conclusions on that. ]
Speaking of which - do you or anyone else have full knowledge of his capabilities, including new ones? We should keep that in mind, if he has displayed more advanced or new techniques in other battles as of late.
When he attacked Gorre on my behalf, he was able to trap Gorre in this shadowy claw that kept him pinned to one spot.
[Thinking]
...and because he's an admin he can code anything into existence, provided he has access to the data and information. So...he can create copies of us to fight, as he did with Mithrun and...
[Glances]
Even though he's a harvest cleric, don't expect him to be reliant on his spells list.
Hmm...that particular technique sounds quite troublesome—how long was he able to keep Gorre entrapped?
[ If they know the timing, even if it might be elongated by...let us say, Hien's claw-pinning ability being further boosted once the transformation is complete, it could be useful. Maybe.
Also...at the mention of 'copies', Albedo is frowning because great. That's fantastic. ]
How sturdy are these copies, exactly?
I presume you mean because he is the type to hit first and ask questions later as fast as possible — and spells might undermine such a tactic?
[ Pointless to pursue the current subject, then, for the entrap technique. As for the other matter, he lets that too go until he can approach Mithrun. ]
Seeing as the Phases seem to retain mannerisms from their current hosts, I suppose I could believe that would carry over as well.
[ And then, on another note, he backs up a bit because they kind of didn't really discuss it like he wanted. ]
Back to earlier, about 'Skeith being a program that seeks out human emotions and reactions to death. And not liking anyone who would provide useful data', should we consider that a positive? Or that it would simply adjust who it targets based upon that, perhaps?
We shouldn't see it as a matter of like or dislike. As a Phase, he will have the ability to target as many people as possible...and as an administrator...the possibilities of what he could do are endless. But if we can collectively frustrate the programming, we may be able to find openings. Gorre paused in battle to identify the correct attacks to use. The programming is not infallible.
He listens particularly closely on this explanation, particularly with the way Sinclair's laying it out. ]
So, simply put:
Anyone showing such an aspect could cause that 'pause' or 'frustration' in its programming. Intriguing. It certainly couldn't hurt to see the results from anyone managing to be capable of giving 'useless' data in that regard.
...Seeing as Hien would be likely to strike mercilessly, any hinderance in his capabilities would be welcome.
Anyone with long range capabilities should stay at long range. We don't know what it will be like for Skeith. It might be like Gorre, Innis...[a pause] and Corbenik again where aggression simply doesn't work. Never the less, as someone who has trained with Hien a few times...don't expect him to use the usual tactics of a Harvest Cleric.
[He rubs his cheek, grimacing. And yes, he is confessing to his training sessions now]
I'd hate to see what an axe kick looks like on a giant Phase...
An avatar of death does not seem like the type in which gentle words will reach his heart. Yet, if we simply show him violence which is indicative towards 'causation' of death, that will only be fodder for his data collection. All the same, it would be wise to keep some level of aggression if we don't want to find ourselves in danger in the beginning.
[ Pausing, in thought. If it's like the other ones... ]
Hien is a straightforward man on appearance, but he has some layers once you are able to make a glimpse past whatever veil he places in front of himself. That could factor in to any potential other aspects beyond 'frustrating the Wave of death' due to one's non-standard attitude towards death.
One more potential concern that I feel I must reiterate, which I have mentioned earlier:
Should we have to fight Skeith in the place I saw the advancement of Hien's 'condition', I noticed that items and skills are not accessible in the area. Like I have stated before, it may change. But it also may not. We should be adequately prepared in either case.
...And, while we're at it, could you enlighten us on what other tactics Hien is used to using besides axe kicks?
[ A funny image of a who-knows-incredible-amount-of-stories-tall enemy performing an axe kick does fly by in Albedo's head, but you know. ]
...no. Even though the reason I remember my name is because of him... he's forgotten everything. He doesn't see himself as 'Hien', not the way we see him. As far as he's concerned, "NoName", "Hien the administrator" and "Hien with missing memories" are all different people.
[ He gets it, he thinks. The Emil Sinclair in his journal feels like a very different person sometimes ]
[ Albedo doesn't know about the memories portion, though he sees fit to jump in with... ]
He reacted positively to a statement I made, about bringing back someone he cared about dearly.
I doubt it will be easy to conjure such a reaction once again. But I see no reason to not try to appeal to him wanting at the very least to retain his sense of individuality. That might prove to be fruitful.
[ Though it is hard to know which words might make him recall that again at that time. Albedo isn't...good at that. ]
Quite so. That thing has been attempting to convert him for a long while now, but Hien has a strong will. He still has a strong tie to persisting as himself, after all.
[ He doesn't just mean Hien's individual will, but his desire to find Matoba and bring him back. He doesn't paint himself as an optimistic, yet he is finding himself thinking if that other battle goes well too, with Magus, they will have double the ammunition needed to get Hien back to normal. :) ]
That's true. There were others who were quick to accept Lily's paradise, but Admin Hien didn't seem to be cooperating with Lily even as his condition progressed.
[ He'd kept his red texting to a minimum, at least around Haru. ]
I don't think he can hold on forever though. Losing his memories may make it easier for Lily to influence him, and his appearance has changed to take on the eye patterns we've been seeing on the Waves.
I do wonder...if there is a way to engage a Wave before they have completed transformation, and even if you defeat them completely in 'battle', if they would still survive.
[ Albedo supposes no one has attempted to for the reason that there's just too much unknown data surrounding such a course of action. But he does consider it without hesitation since, maybe, there could be a way to uproot the program still then.
Though at that time if someone is Data Drained, would they be still able to survive even that, like how Phases do when they become 'complete'? ]
Even a strong will like that has limits. Still, all the same...there is something lingering, tethering his persona to this world. It may be even after the 'transformation' is complete for him, it is not necessarily the end.
[ He says this with a bit more certainty that it's 50-50 now because the battle results of the future have not happened, but it's fine. ]
It's crossed my mind, but I think unless we coordinated ourselves to strike as a group, it'd be too dangerous to provoke a Phase. I've noticed the Phases themselves don't seem interested in taking us out beforehand, though that may just be because they need us as data.
[ Not giving them data isn't an option, either. She remembers how strong the compulsion had been. ]
With Admin Hien's privileges, he could probably easily block us from attacking him before it's time.
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Skeith and Fidchell Battle Preparations
If Hien's admin skills are still in tact once he becomes Skeith...we'll be in for a difficult battle.
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...I see. Frustration with the sample sounds like it could be a double-edged sword.
[ But...Hien would not have said that if he thought it might give them a good edge.
Somehow, he feels that maybe it wouldn't be exactly a terrible thing, but he doesn't wish to jump to conclusions on that. ]
Speaking of which - do you or anyone else have full knowledge of his capabilities, including new ones? We should keep that in mind, if he has displayed more advanced or new techniques in other battles as of late.
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[Thinking]
...and because he's an admin he can code anything into existence, provided he has access to the data and information. So...he can create copies of us to fight, as he did with Mithrun and...
[Glances]
Even though he's a harvest cleric, don't expect him to be reliant on his spells list.
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[ If they know the timing, even if it might be elongated by...let us say, Hien's claw-pinning ability being further boosted once the transformation is complete, it could be useful. Maybe.
Also...at the mention of 'copies', Albedo is frowning because great. That's fantastic. ]
How sturdy are these copies, exactly?
I presume you mean because he is the type to hit first and ask questions later as fast as possible — and spells might undermine such a tactic?
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[One, he was dizzy from blood loss. Two, cruelty]
Um. You should speak to Mithrun. And...he used his class to handicap himself. He's just inclined to physical violence. Skeith would draw on that.
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[ Pointless to pursue the current subject, then, for the entrap technique. As for the other matter, he lets that too go until he can approach Mithrun. ]
Seeing as the Phases seem to retain mannerisms from their current hosts, I suppose I could believe that would carry over as well.
[ And then, on another note, he backs up a bit because they kind of didn't really discuss it like he wanted. ]
Back to earlier, about 'Skeith being a program that seeks out human emotions and reactions to death. And not liking anyone who would provide useful data', should we consider that a positive? Or that it would simply adjust who it targets based upon that, perhaps?
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[ Pausing and he shakes his head]
We shouldn't see it as a matter of like or dislike. As a Phase, he will have the ability to target as many people as possible...and as an administrator...the possibilities of what he could do are endless. But if we can collectively frustrate the programming, we may be able to find openings. Gorre paused in battle to identify the correct attacks to use. The programming is not infallible.
no subject
[ Not a matter of dislike or like, is it?
He listens particularly closely on this explanation, particularly with the way Sinclair's laying it out. ]
So, simply put:
Anyone showing such an aspect could cause that 'pause' or 'frustration' in its programming. Intriguing. It certainly couldn't hurt to see the results from anyone managing to be capable of giving 'useless' data in that regard.
...Seeing as Hien would be likely to strike mercilessly, any hinderance in his capabilities would be welcome.
no subject
[He rubs his cheek, grimacing. And yes, he is confessing to his training sessions now]
I'd hate to see what an axe kick looks like on a giant Phase...
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An avatar of death does not seem like the type in which gentle words will reach his heart. Yet, if we simply show him violence which is indicative towards 'causation' of death, that will only be fodder for his data collection. All the same, it would be wise to keep some level of aggression if we don't want to find ourselves in danger in the beginning.
[ Pausing, in thought. If it's like the other ones... ]
Hien is a straightforward man on appearance, but he has some layers once you are able to make a glimpse past whatever veil he places in front of himself. That could factor in to any potential other aspects beyond 'frustrating the Wave of death' due to one's non-standard attitude towards death.
One more potential concern that I feel I must reiterate, which I have mentioned earlier:
Should we have to fight Skeith in the place I saw the advancement of Hien's 'condition', I noticed that items and skills are not accessible in the area. Like I have stated before, it may change. But it also may not. We should be adequately prepared in either case.
...And, while we're at it, could you enlighten us on what other tactics Hien is used to using besides axe kicks?
[ A funny image of a who-knows-incredible-amount-of-stories-tall enemy performing an axe kick does fly by in Albedo's head, but you know. ]
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[ Had she given him the reaction he wanted? All she knows is that he was frustrated by her refusal to give up on him. ]
When you last spoke to him, did he remember who you were?
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[ He gets it, he thinks. The Emil Sinclair in his journal feels like a very different person sometimes ]
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[ It's just like what happened to Mithrun and the others. ]
If we defeat Skeith, his memories will return, right? He was very adamant about not wanting to live as a shell of himself.
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He really doesn't see any of his 'selves' as the same person at all.
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I suppose our memories make up a large part of who we are. I wonder if it was careless of me to tell him we could bring him back.
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...I think someone should hold onto hope, no matter what. Otherwise, it would make fighting him difficult.
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[If he can't hold hope in his heart, Haru can. That's enough for him]
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[ If she thinks of it this way, she can find the resolve to fight without holding back. ]
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He reacted positively to a statement I made, about bringing back someone he cared about dearly.
I doubt it will be easy to conjure such a reaction once again. But I see no reason to not try to appeal to him wanting at the very least to retain his sense of individuality. That might prove to be fruitful.
[ Though it is hard to know which words might make him recall that again at that time. Albedo isn't...good at that. ]
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[ She looks hopeful to hear it. ]
He's been a Phase longer than anyone, but if we're able to draw out his emotions, it means Lily hasn't been able to turn him into a program.
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[ Hope is a funny thing right now, huh. ]
Quite so. That thing has been attempting to convert him for a long while now, but Hien has a strong will. He still has a strong tie to persisting as himself, after all.
[ He doesn't just mean Hien's individual will, but his desire to find Matoba and bring him back. He doesn't paint himself as an optimistic, yet he is finding himself thinking if that other battle goes well too, with Magus, they will have double the ammunition needed to get Hien back to normal. :) ]
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That's true. There were others who were quick to accept Lily's paradise, but Admin Hien didn't seem to be cooperating with Lily even as his condition progressed.
[ He'd kept his red texting to a minimum, at least around Haru. ]
I don't think he can hold on forever though. Losing his memories may make it easier for Lily to influence him, and his appearance has changed to take on the eye patterns we've been seeing on the Waves.
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[ Albedo supposes no one has attempted to for the reason that there's just too much unknown data surrounding such a course of action. But he does consider it without hesitation since, maybe, there could be a way to uproot the program still then.
Though at that time if someone is Data Drained, would they be still able to survive even that, like how Phases do when they become 'complete'? ]
Even a strong will like that has limits. Still, all the same...there is something lingering, tethering his persona to this world. It may be even after the 'transformation' is complete for him, it is not necessarily the end.
[ He says this with a bit more certainty that it's 50-50 now because the battle results of the future have not happened, but it's fine. ]
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[ Not giving them data isn't an option, either. She remembers how strong the compulsion had been. ]
With Admin Hien's privileges, he could probably easily block us from attacking him before it's time.
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