lunae calamitas mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
promittere) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
lunaecalamitas2024-06-13 05:00 pm
promittere) wrote in lunaecalamitas2024-06-13 05:00 pm
let the magic take control, it's there wherever you go
CADENZA DI FIRST QUARTER
On this bright and sunny morning, Sage Tatara and Mentor G'raha call a meeting. It's mandatory.
Once every wizard is gathered in the lounge, Tatara settles into one of the plush armchairs, clearly too big for him, but absent is any of his silly expressions that might make light of the difference in size here. Instead, with a serious hue in his coral eyes and neatly pressed lilac dress shirt, he looks like he means business.
"Now that the Western wizards are back, we need to share what we've learned with each other. I know some of you have been sharing information privately amongst yourselves, but I think it's time we put all the pieces we have together.
"Everyone encountered a moon stone on their missions, and I think the general consensus is that neutralizing these stones brings the old wizards back physically, somehow. But we haven't received any reports of any of them waking up yet."
That isn't to mention the sage, who still remains missing...ostensibly. They'll get to that in a second.
"If there's anything else you've learned that you think might be related to these things, or to our situation specifically, then speak up now."
When the conversation dies down, Tatara raises his hand to get his attention back on him and G'raha again.
"For the second order of business, I have good news and bad news."
His tone and expression are lighter this time.
"The good news is that we've found a ritual that can send everyone back. There are details we can work out in the meanwhile, especially if you've decided not to go back to your home world, but for now, we need to talk about the ritual itself.
"In order for the ritual to work, we will need rare materials from all over the world. I'll be posting the materials on the job board so you know where to look."
G'raha adds, "We'll need these materials by next week, before the full moon. There's a reason for that, but we'll touch on that in a moment."
Tatara glances at him and nods.
"The ritual is far too powerful for any of us to perform, so we'll have to wait until the old wizards wake up. But...I have a feeling we might be able to do something about that."
When Tatara stands, G'raha follows suit.
"There's one last thing I need to show you."
With a silent gesture, Tatara makes for the door of the lounge and expects everyone to follow. Yes, everyone.
Sage and mentor then lead everyone down the winding corridors of the manor, past an indiscreet door into a wing of the building that has remained relatively untouched. The lights here are off, but the chandeliers and sconces quietly flick on as they make their way down the dust-laden corridors.
Soon, all will notice that the halls they walk through are a mirror image of the residential section of the manor, except it seems no one has lived here for quite a while.
You're led up the stairs, where Tatara and G'raha stop before a door that is a mirror location to Tatara's room on the second floor. A faint energy pulses from inside, one belonging to a person unfamiliar to all.
After an exchanged glance, Tatara pushes open the door and G'raha steps inside. He gestures to the sight at the center of the room: there, on his knees, is a young man. His face is frozen, twisted in panic—in fact, all of him is frozen, and his image practically see-through, just scarcely flickering on the razor-thin edge of existence. He holds his fist high above his head, as though clinging, with dear life, to five faint ethereal threads—yellow, purple, blue, pink, and green—that float in the air above his head. The threads are just as faint as he is, fading before they reach the walls.
"This is the previous sage," Tatara says. "He appeared here a little before the Western wizards returned from their mission. I'm guessing whatever they did to the last moon fragment is related."
G'raha nods. "The sage's soul seems incomplete. Putting him back together may be the key to waking him, and the rest of the wizards, up. However—" he pauses, reaching to gently run a finger over the purple thread. It flickers faintly. "The energy in these threads is too faint to see where they lead. They do seem to grow in strength as we get closer to the full moon, though. It's likely we'll see what lies at the end of them when the time comes, next week."
"Next week," Tatara repeats. G'raha steps out of the room, and Tatara closes the door behind him. "We'll wake him up next week.
"But before that, we have materials to collect."
Once every wizard is gathered in the lounge, Tatara settles into one of the plush armchairs, clearly too big for him, but absent is any of his silly expressions that might make light of the difference in size here. Instead, with a serious hue in his coral eyes and neatly pressed lilac dress shirt, he looks like he means business.
"Now that the Western wizards are back, we need to share what we've learned with each other. I know some of you have been sharing information privately amongst yourselves, but I think it's time we put all the pieces we have together.
"Everyone encountered a moon stone on their missions, and I think the general consensus is that neutralizing these stones brings the old wizards back physically, somehow. But we haven't received any reports of any of them waking up yet."
That isn't to mention the sage, who still remains missing...ostensibly. They'll get to that in a second.
"If there's anything else you've learned that you think might be related to these things, or to our situation specifically, then speak up now."
For a summary of everything discussed in the meeting, please see this comment. Thank you Mauyn!
When the conversation dies down, Tatara raises his hand to get his attention back on him and G'raha again.
"For the second order of business, I have good news and bad news."
His tone and expression are lighter this time.
"The good news is that we've found a ritual that can send everyone back. There are details we can work out in the meanwhile, especially if you've decided not to go back to your home world, but for now, we need to talk about the ritual itself.
"In order for the ritual to work, we will need rare materials from all over the world. I'll be posting the materials on the job board so you know where to look."
G'raha adds, "We'll need these materials by next week, before the full moon. There's a reason for that, but we'll touch on that in a moment."
Tatara glances at him and nods.
"The ritual is far too powerful for any of us to perform, so we'll have to wait until the old wizards wake up. But...I have a feeling we might be able to do something about that."
When Tatara stands, G'raha follows suit.
"There's one last thing I need to show you."
With a silent gesture, Tatara makes for the door of the lounge and expects everyone to follow. Yes, everyone.
Sage and mentor then lead everyone down the winding corridors of the manor, past an indiscreet door into a wing of the building that has remained relatively untouched. The lights here are off, but the chandeliers and sconces quietly flick on as they make their way down the dust-laden corridors.
Soon, all will notice that the halls they walk through are a mirror image of the residential section of the manor, except it seems no one has lived here for quite a while.
You're led up the stairs, where Tatara and G'raha stop before a door that is a mirror location to Tatara's room on the second floor. A faint energy pulses from inside, one belonging to a person unfamiliar to all.
After an exchanged glance, Tatara pushes open the door and G'raha steps inside. He gestures to the sight at the center of the room: there, on his knees, is a young man. His face is frozen, twisted in panic—in fact, all of him is frozen, and his image practically see-through, just scarcely flickering on the razor-thin edge of existence. He holds his fist high above his head, as though clinging, with dear life, to five faint ethereal threads—yellow, purple, blue, pink, and green—that float in the air above his head. The threads are just as faint as he is, fading before they reach the walls.
"This is the previous sage," Tatara says. "He appeared here a little before the Western wizards returned from their mission. I'm guessing whatever they did to the last moon fragment is related."
G'raha nods. "The sage's soul seems incomplete. Putting him back together may be the key to waking him, and the rest of the wizards, up. However—" he pauses, reaching to gently run a finger over the purple thread. It flickers faintly. "The energy in these threads is too faint to see where they lead. They do seem to grow in strength as we get closer to the full moon, though. It's likely we'll see what lies at the end of them when the time comes, next week."
"Next week," Tatara repeats. G'raha steps out of the room, and Tatara closes the door behind him. "We'll wake him up next week.
"But before that, we have materials to collect."
JOB BOARD
An important note for these tasks is that they are time sensitive. At least one completed thread of each material must be submitted before 11:59 AM EDT, June 22 for the gathering of the materials to be considered successful. Now's the time to coordinate and work together.
Water from the Lost Oasis. Mesa was once a great city of commerce in the southern part of the Central country...the part of the country that is now a vast desert. The city was once lost to the sands, and though it is said to have recently emerged from its sandy grave, it is still rather difficult to find in the desert. It is very easy to get lost, even on broom, so be careful.
Either way, your task is to collect a bottle-ful of water from this barren oasis. Your only choices may be to commune with the spirits to have them to show you a phantasm of what the bustling city was like in its heyday, before it was destroyed, or to brute force dig your way to the ground water. Why here, when there are other oases in the desert? This is an ancient place of power, and the land is special.
The Central spirits here are very old and very picky—Northern wizards beware, as your presence may not be entirely welcome. Acting out may cause the spirits to lash out and cause sandstorms.
Either way, your task is to collect a bottle-ful of water from this barren oasis. Your only choices may be to commune with the spirits to have them to show you a phantasm of what the bustling city was like in its heyday, before it was destroyed, or to brute force dig your way to the ground water. Why here, when there are other oases in the desert? This is an ancient place of power, and the land is special.
The Central spirits here are very old and very picky—Northern wizards beware, as your presence may not be entirely welcome. Acting out may cause the spirits to lash out and cause sandstorms.
The Frozen Oz Root. Named after the world's most powerful wizard, the Oz flower is a brilliant crimson and deathly poisonous. It grows in the vast snowy plains of the North, but it is said to be exceedingly rare, despite how the color of the flower stands out so starkly against the white of the snow. Finding it will not be easy and you will need sharp, tireless eyes.
Despite how beautiful the flower is, that is not what we need. All of the flower's poison is housed in its roots, and we need the poison. However, the most important thing is that the roots remain frozen. Do not let it thaw. Once it thaws, the poison loses the quality we need for the ritual.
Despite how beautiful the flower is, that is not what we need. All of the flower's poison is housed in its roots, and we need the poison. However, the most important thing is that the roots remain frozen. Do not let it thaw. Once it thaws, the poison loses the quality we need for the ritual.
A Storm in a Bottle. It's the fickle quality of the spirits in the Valley of Storms that cause the eponymous storms. They're shy and sensitive, a lot like the Eastern wizards themselves, and don't require a lot of prodding to elicit any sort of reaction from them. Your job is to agitate the spirits in the valley just enough to cause a storm, and to catch that storm, lightning and thunder and rain and all, in a bottle for use in the ritual. Western wizards in particular will have an easy time stressing them out, but be careful not to push the sensitive spirits too far—the valley is also known as the Valley of the Lost for a reason (don't get trapped, please come home!).
In contrast, if you accidentally make the spirits happy, they might take the form of cats instead... Which is nice, but the manor isn't exactly aching for more cats. Just don't get too distracted playing with them if this happens, okay?
In contrast, if you accidentally make the spirits happy, they might take the form of cats instead... Which is nice, but the manor isn't exactly aching for more cats. Just don't get too distracted playing with them if this happens, okay?
Blood of the Last Monster. The Western military and word on the street will tell you that all of the magical monsters in the West have been slain, their mana stones harvested. But is that true, when there has been no word of the death of the mythical tarasque? The legend of the tarasque tells of a large, ancient beast with six bear paws for legs and a massive turtle shell on its back, who slumbers in the depths of a remote ravine among the mountains on the Western Country's northern border. You are to collect a vial of this ancient creature's blood. Nothing more, nothing less.
Be careful not to wake it, and be careful not to kill it. If awakened, there's no telling if anyone would be able to stop a creature of that size and caliber. And if killed, its mana stones would attract all the wrong kind of attention. Besides, doesn't the West still deserve to keep some of its native fauna, magical or otherwise?
Be careful not to wake it, and be careful not to kill it. If awakened, there's no telling if anyone would be able to stop a creature of that size and caliber. And if killed, its mana stones would attract all the wrong kind of attention. Besides, doesn't the West still deserve to keep some of its native fauna, magical or otherwise?
Pestilence Frog Mucus. Though once a plague-ridden bog, the Swamp of Pestilence is now home to a thriving, diverse, and healthy ecosystem. It's now also home to a very rare type of frog, its stunning green, yellow, and blue stripes eye-catching and attractive. However, this frog only emerges from the depths of the bog on a clear twilight after a day of rain in the rainy season...except the Southern rainy season isn't for another few months yet. You don't exactly have the time to wait until then, do you? You'll have to figure out a way to trick the frog into thinking it's the rainy season to lure it out, or dig it out by force... Either way, you'll need at least a vial's worth of this frog's mucus. Make sure the swamp water (or rain water, for that matter) doesn't contaminate it.
OOC NOTES
🌙 Welcome to your final final mingle! It's time to share info and get down to business.
🌙 How do you feel about the bonds you've forged thus far? Was it all worth it?
🌙 Pair guesses are now closed! Thank you and congratulations to all who found their pair!
🌙 A reminder that rewards close at 11:59 PM EDT, June 19, and that includes mission rewards. If you have not submitted rewards for your mission participation yet, then now's your last chance!
🌙 Speaking of time limits, if you missed it above, all materials must be submitted before the finale for the gathering to be considered a success. Plan your time and your threads wisely.
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here. Please note that this plotting post doubles as the sign-up for the finale and final encounter. Read it over carefully and fill out the form if you'd like todieplay.
🌙 Speaking of, what do you think is happening next week...?
ROBIN
The Valley of Storms sees the return of this fricker once more, and to boot he doesn't seem all that bothered about being potentially caught up in the middle of a dangerous storm or whatever else. Look, he's been through a lot on the battlefield, so his fear levels are ultimately dangerous low.
But, this time, he has company of a different sort. Or perhaps this happened earlier than his other outing. It's fine. ]
Well, well. It appears we're in for a quite the great deal of thunderous activity, hm?
[ Did he just try to pun in there...yeah. At least Robin won't have to deal with this guy anymore at some point (probably) ]
no subject
I have no idea why you thought my presence would be necessary for this. You sound to be plenty capable of irritating the spirits enough on your own.
[ just pun badly enough at them, repeatedly. ]
no subject
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
In matters like these, a second can often be quite necessary. Powerful spirits can be difficult to deal with by one's lonesome, no?
If you have any jokes of your own that you believe may help in irritating the spirits, you shouldn't hold back.
[ Jing Yuan is, perhaps, actually thinking of some terrible puns even as we speak. Not that he expects Robin to participate in them. He can't quite imagine him making awful jokes to irritate spirits, but it'd be hilarious. ]
no subject
[ you do remember who you're talking to, right jing yuan? the only smiles he knows these days are either mocking, sardonic, or wan. ]
Surely, if they are both irritated and terrified, that should amount to potent enough agitation for a storm.
[ though so far all they've amounted to on the travel here appears to be a two bit comedy routine. ]
no subject
Hahaha, you know, you do have quite a good point.
So, how about it? I work my magic to irritate them with some untimely, unfitting jokes, and you make your threats?
[ That should make for an interesting, yet potent combo. Saying this like it's not going to look like comedical shenanigary and make the storms amused, but hey, who knows. Maybe it will work seriously...but, he's getting out the bottle, letting it float in the air. ]
...Meanwhile, I can conjure up a spell aimed to vacuum all the potent power we need straight into the bottle.
no subject
I certainly hope that bottle has been hexed for appropriate durability. Let's see ... for a proper storm, we'll need wind, rain, and lightning, hmm?
[ he closes his eyes for a bit, taking a moment to find his center. actually are they flying or are they on the ground right now i forgot to ask. ]
Well. I certainly know wind and lightning. As you say, if you need a second, you could stand to do worse than me.
But why don't you go ahead for now and do your worst, hm? These delicate spirits aren't going to agitate themselves now.
no subject
[ They are now on the ground because Jing Yuan doesn't like sitting on a broom much. The alternative is levitating since he he'd be more inclined to doing that but it's probably better that they're...
...
Grounded. ]
Ahem, here I go.
[ Jing Yuan elevates his voice via illusion to something obnoxiously loud and so it echoes across the valley. ]
Now, do you know what it is called when a bird does something spontaneous? Winging it.
Also, do you know that they call a devious cat? A meowstermind.
Ah, wait, here's another. Do you know what they call a winter...
[ So on and so forth with these ridiculous jokes/puns/dad jokes. He tells about 20 of them. Then there is suddenly dead silence; even whatever light breeze there is just dies.
Then there is maybe the sound of laughter, because he failed to irritate them (6)
Well then. Jing Yuan gives a sheepish look at Robin. ]
1/2
Maybe don't quit your job as a general... Perhaps this is why they don't call you the Divine Comedy.
[ muttered, in quiet aside to jing yuan before his expression blanks and masks itself over. ]
2/2
Hᴇʜᴇʜᴇʜ...
[ with magic, you, too, can do the ominous redtext even without a full shapeshift! for him it isn't illusion but instead a mixture of wind magic amplification and a partial shift of his voicebox. it's deep and echoing and resonant and sounds nothing like his usual self. ]
Wᴀs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪᴋɪɴɢ, ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ sᴘɪʀɪᴛs? Aʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴᴇᴅ, ᴅᴇᴀʀᴇsᴛ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴇɴᴄᴇ? Aʜ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘs ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴛᴀsᴛᴇ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴅɪғғᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ...
[ his hands spread wide, shoulders canting in almost a casual, careless shrug. with his smile as wide as it is, it's clear to see the mouth making it hides fangs inside. a chill wind begins to blow, stirring up the leaves at their feet. ]
Hᴏᴡ ᴠᴇʀʏ ғᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴀᴛᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴜs ʙᴏᴛʜ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ sᴏ ᴅᴏ I. Lᴏɴɢ ʜᴀs ɪᴛ ʙᴇᴇɴ sɪɴᴄᴇ I'ᴠᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴘᴇʀʟʏ sᴜᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴜᴘᴏɴ sᴘɪʀɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏᴜʟ. Pᴇʀʜᴀᴘs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ʟᴜᴄᴋʏ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏɴᴏʀ ᴏғ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴍʏ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴍᴇᴀʟ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ...
Bᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍʏ ᴍᴀɴɴᴇʀs? [ an expression of mock surprise, mock shock at himself, before he flourishes himself into a dramatic bow. the wind from before is now a gale, the clouds darkening and rumbling their discontent as a drizzle begins to fall. ] Lᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴘᴇʀʟʏ ɪɴᴛʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴇ ᴍʏsᴇʟғ. I ᴀᴍ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀs Rᴏʙɪɴ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Nᴏʀᴛʜ, ʜᴇʀᴇ ... Bᴜᴛ I'ʟʟ ɪᴍᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴏғ ᴍʏ ᴛɪᴛʟᴇs ᴀs ᴡᴇʟʟ:
[ behind him, ethereal, incorporeal wings spread wide, three sets on each side, as he declares in ringing voice: ]
I ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴇ Wɪɴɢs ᴏғ Dᴇsᴘᴀɪʀ. I ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴇ Bʀᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴏғ Rᴜɪɴ. I ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴇ Fᴇʟʟ Dʀᴀɢᴏɴ, Gʀɪᴍᴀ. I ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏғ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜɪɴɢs— sᴏ, ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴏғ ʏᴏᴜ sʜᴀʟʟ I ᴘɪᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ғᴇᴀsᴛ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ғɪʀsᴛ?
no subject
[ Jing Yuan does not quite use his indoor voice here, but then there goes Robin.
He remembers hearing this voice when he argued with heals about him while he was a huge-ass dragon the size of a building and then some. But now he gets to hear it again, him essentially pulling out all the stops to scaring the spirits.
Though he takes pause. ]
...Grima? Hmm, I hadn't been aware that you referred to yourself as someone else entirely. Or rather, had such a title at all.
[ Beat. Then as a question on the side: ]
Are you able to feast upon spirits, normally?
[ Jing Yuan is curious, after all.
Anywhoo, it begins to do something, what with storm clouds starting to form and whatever sounds of wispy, distant laughter beginning to fade into something far more disruptive, yet potent for what the two of them are angling for.
It does not seem like spirit-cats are going to be on the table. For that Jing Yuan gets ready for when the rain and thunder will be upon them as well. ]
no subject
Robin was my name first, but this soul is, and has always been, Grima. I did say I left certain titles out while we were, hm, reintroducing ourselves, after all.
And yes, actually, if you must ask.
[ you think there's anything out there that could support the feeding habits of a city sized dragon otherwise? an ecological nightmare. or maybe he's just biologically extremely efficient, given how much he grew from just little bits of blood?
huh, looks like the spirits don't like them making small talk either. those scary non-eastern wizards, what can they possibly be planning... ]
no subject
You certainly did.
...Hmm. I had wondered. I suppose that this could be like an appetizer, if we were expressing this in an unfortunately casual manner. Though, I imagine it could've been more occasional than it being something that you partook in often?
[ Jing Yuan eyes the continuance in forming of storm and keeps up the smalltalk.
Jing Yuan idly wonders how...eating the souls thing works, but he also figures it's just a matter of opening one's mouth and eating, maybe. It sounds about as disturbing as it should, though all the same as he's pondering over the horrors of that, there is the sound of thunder ensuing, alongside furthering darkening of the skies.
The things he does for tasks, smh. A flash of lightning. All they need is rain, though Jing Yuan prepares the vacuum spell for once he sees a single spot of waterfall. ]
no subject
[ he'll drop the rest of his spectral appearance since the storm seems to be reaching the point they want it to, the ghostly, transparent wings folding before vanishing as the false eyes close and fade back away. if the spirits should regain their nerve he can absolutely bring them back out, but for now, as he watches the sky... ]
Though, in truth, calling what I feed on souls is a bit of a dramatization. Of course, I will not deny being a repulsive creature... But at the very least, I would represent myself accurately when you for some reason have curiosity morbid enough to ask.
[ a distant rumble of thunder, the follow up to the lightning jing yuan had sighted. ]
I am a creature of the wastes. As a result, I might most closely be likened to a carrion creature; what I can choose to feed on, in a metaphysical sense, is more accurately represented as life force and quintessence. Vitality, energy... that sort of thing.
[ (juliet vc) do we have proof robin is not a vampire ]
no subject
Though, he tilts his head at that. So, it wasn't souls in the literal sense? Perhaps there is a nuance to it that he doesn't quite grasp just yet. But, as the thunder roars not unlike a dragon, he hears the explanation that follows right after.
Knew there was a secret vampire in the cast.]Hrm...that is quite the explanation.
Though, is not too unusual to encounter beings who are capable of that in general, so I am not too unfamiliar with the idea of it, at the least.
I suppose this means consuming regular food might be a waste or unappetizing to you, hm?
[ He's reluctant to call Robin a repulsive creature, though. Whatever the case, lightning strikes maddeningly, and eventually so does the sudden onslaught of stormy rain. Enough for Jing Yuan to set the spell properly into action and suction things up as they are. Anyway, the spirits do inevitably try to curse them, for their trouble, and Jing Yuan is going to wind up stuck there for (12) 3 whole goddamned hours, it's fine. He will figure that out when he tries to leave. ]
...I believe we're all set here.
no subject
[ his sweet tooth... ]
... My true body is, however, much larger than you've seen. Were I to feed more conventionally in that form, entire countries would start starving quite rapidly.
[ but there goes the storm, robin holding the electric potential in the air steady to assist jing yuan in his endeavor... but as he's the one who did the bulk of the work in whipping the spirits into a frenzy, he takes a curse proportionate to the deed— he's going to be trapped for a while (5).
... not that he notices, anyway, until he tries to check his compass. which is no longer telling them what direction north and south are, instead spinning wildly beneath the glass. hm. ]
no subject
Oh? Amongst other things?
[ He'll ask anyways because he squints into the distance, wondering why things seem to be...off; taking a step forward only increases the feeling so he frowns. Big time. ]
...It's a good thing that you don't require to be in that form all the time, I'm assuming. I haven't seen you taken up that appearance all that often, after all.
[ For what he assumes to also be for other practical reasons, of course! Then, he looks at Robin, noticing if he makes perhaps a little pause on his end after looking at their surroundings. ]
That said, it might be that we're in a little bind. I've noticed that somehow our surroundings seem a little off somehow. It may be due to the spirits themselves, I imagine. Anything appear strange on your end?
no subject
[ but he's probably been seen around and about with a sweet treat or pastry more than once. nevermind that if jing yuan were ever to taste his coffee it'd probably be one of those horrifically sweet drinks that are more sugar than coffee. ]
But you are correct. It is ... somewhat taxing to be in that form here, and even in human shape typically manaketes tend to eat much more than a human of similar build and activity level.
[ which brings them to their final topic, and...
dryly: ]
... My compass no longer points north. Our surroundings also seem suddenly ... unrecognizable. The fog that's suddenly fallen is also rather foreboding. I suspect we have discovered why this place is also called the Valley of the Lost.
no subject
As such, he does end up chuckling at that response which seems pretty standard fair from Robin. ]
Manakete is the name of your species, then?
[ At least he learned that easily enough. Though, he shakes his head when it seems all signs do truly point towards them being in a bit of a bind. Ah well. Curses from spirits are rather strong so dispelling will likely be a trial and a half, so... ]
Well, how about we simply just do our best to navigate through this nonsense? There isn't quite much else to do but walk around until our unfortunate predicament clears up, hm?
no subject
[ as if to punctuate that statement, there's a flash of lightning and an answering roll of thunder. yes. be lost, assholes. see how you like being punned at badly and then threatened with consumption!!!
... might as well start walking, right? ]
To answer your question: strictly speaking? No. I am not a manakete by conventional definition. [ he might be a dragon taking human form, but he sure as hell has not sealed his power away in a rock, for one thing. that's not even touching on the rest of the particulars of his situation. ] For simplicity's sake, however, they can be considered close enough to be used as a viable point of comparison.
no subject
But, a necessary evil, in the end. Anyway, as they walk... ]
Ah, so, in essence, you are like them, but not truly of their kind.
[ Or so he presumes, possibly. He's thinking back to snippets of the puzzles connecting to Robin's backstory, that proclamation of his other 'title', and the memory. ]
...As our little tussle potentially draws near, have you wondered about the state of things back home? After all, it has been quite a few months by now.
no subject
I have done no such thing, and thus, I do not strictly qualify as a manakete. The means by which my power is sealed differs from theirs. Otherwise, they can still take draconic form if need be, and otherwise spend much of their time in a human one. Functionally, we are similar enough.
[ more puzzle pieces without context. they might as well talk as they walk, right. ]
... Mmm. I suppose it would depend on whether or not time has passed apace, or if one realm's time passes at a rate different from the other.
Though in theory I could also render any difference moot if I chose to, as crossing time and space is something I would be capable of under my own proper sky. Under the right conditions, in any case...
no subject
It seems you have no need to follow suit as they do, I imagine, due to your powers functioning differently. But, I do understand the particulars a bit more. Though, I wonder if you've met others like yourself as well.
[ Dragons who are not manaketes, that is. It seems not impossible, right? That should also include his shitty-good-for-nothing-piece-of-crap father, at the least, he supposes.
That man in the memory sure made an impression on him... ]
I had not a clue you could bend the traditional laws of time and space. Though, I imagine it doesn't necessarily prevent any potential concerns about the state of matters, no? Since there still seems to be conditions.
What kind of plans would you have if time has passed? Would you try to use that power, or something else entirely?
no subject
[ they are very thin on the ground, in other words. he is not going to be finding any long lost family members to commiserate with.
dryly: ]
Though I mention it, crossing time and space does take a considerable amount of power. That, and it's not always as simple a solution as some people might think.
[ (ahito vc) 'why don't you just travel back further and explain to them?' because past him still exists and is not onboard with this plan and three robins is three robins too many— i mean what.
still steadily looking forward, he will ask, blandly: ]
Did Ahito put you up to this?
no subject
[ But that is unfortunate; at least the implications are...
Well, at least Robin has made positive ties here for certain (him included, maybe.) He doesn't have any intentions of insinuating anything about such matters to his face, but he feels that the idea isn't impossible. ]
I wouldn't be surprised. It is a difficult medium to use at all; wielding such power would be easier if one had something under an Aeon's power or a Stellaron, but on one's own, it is certainly difficult to manage.
Though, all the same, you seem to have experience with it...
[ He blinks at the question, however, and tilts his head, shaking his head. ]
No. That said, why do you ask? Has Ahito done something?
no subject
I am one of two beings considered as deities, in the realm I hail from— we're both capable of it, both for ourselves and others. [ it's not boasting, just factual. ] You haven't yet seen even a fraction of my strength, whether here or in that forest.
As for the matter of Ahito... [ mentally closes eyes. this is the worst way to tell someone to drop something because it never works, but— ] Never you mind it then, in that case. He hasn't done anything. I'd merely thought he'd said something to you, but it's of little import.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)