voice | rabbit 4

[redprayer]

[Sometime after breakfast on the fourth day of Rabbit, a voice message plays over the network.]

Hello. My apologies if I am interrupting anyone in the midst of something important. Some of you may already know me, but for those who do not, my name is Rezo, and I have a favor to ask of you.

In my own world I devoted much of my time to researching magic and since being recruited by the train I have heard a few things about the abilities that some of you have. While it seems magic, or some concept thereof, is quite common among the various worlds, the way it works and the extent of what a person can do varies considerably.

I confess I have found myself rather curious about all this. Thus, if any of you are willing to speak with me about your own abilities and the magic systems that you have experience with, I would appreciate it if you would contact me. I will be staying near the ICP in the standard coach for much of today, if you would prefer to speak in person.

Of course, I understand that some of you may wonder what is in this for you. Worry not. I have rewards prepared for anyone who is willing to indulge my curiosity, and I shall compensate you accordingly.

[[ooc: since lore dumping and technical talk isn't necessarily everyone's jam feel free to do some handwaving if you think your character would respond to Rezo's request but you don't feel up to going into/making up a bunch of weird details.

and if you're wondering what the reward will be, it's a sticker.]]

Comments

[redprayer]

[Rezo's voice is a little softer when he answers which... Might be shocking to anyone who hasn't observed him around her recently.]

To be honest, I had not thought about it. But I suppose it would only be fair to do so, provided anyone who speaks with me is comfortable with making the information public.

[Since, y'know, the main reason he's doing this in the first place is because of his own magic issue that he doesn't want other people to know about unless strictly necessary...]

[invigorates]

( she hummed softly in agreement. )

Of course. If they are not, I suppose I can always do a bit of my own research. Though I cannot imagine many would appreciate the redundancy.

( so. You know. Hopefully they'd all be willing to share with the class. )

I have told you much of my own magic. Was there anything else you might be curious about?

[redprayer]

[That's assuming he gets any bites also! Maybe the other passengers don't like stickers. (Just kidding. Everyone wants a sticker.)

For a moment or so Rezo hesitates, and then Lioriley will hear some rustling noises as Rezo digs out a notebook and pen.]

You've spoken before about how, as a Lunari, you have a close physical connection with magic. Can you tell me more about the ways that connection manifests and differs from a human sorcerer's relationship with magic?

[invigorates]

( Lioriley's met plenty of people aboard the train inclined to speak of their magic. She's confident he will have some takers.

And why wouldn't he? Charming man he was (unsure). )

Well, for one. Humans are born with no inherent magical abilities. They must purposely pursue their desired school of magic and learn through rigorous training to align their souls. Where Lunari are born upon raw pockets of magical energy - the purest form that weaves into our bodies and aligns us to that specific element and place of power the moment we come into the world.

There are...exceptions. Those whose parents may have been cursed or dealt in magic they should not. We call them tainted or blessed, depending on the magic within them. They differ from Lunari in that their magic is more wild, and manifests more aggressively due to the nature of their birth. An occultism tainted creature could have black eyes and blend with shadows without any training - connected to the veil of death and darkness. Alchemy blessed would be icy to the touch, immune to the cold like I am as a well trained alchemist - but again, without the need to learn any such abilities.

[redprayer]

[This is different from how magical energy works for humans in Rezo’s world, as he’s likely already spoken to her about- that technically, everyone has at least a little within them, although everyone has a different amount and a different level of potential to expand it. And that one is not forced to limit oneself to the specific element you’re aligned with.

Rezo jots down a few notes. Scritchy scritchy goes the pen.]

So how exactly do these exceptions come about? You say it’s a result of curses, or magical experimentation. Can you elaborate a bit on that?

[Maybe that's a little off the subjects he needs to know about in particular...]

And those places of raw magical energy, how do you find them and discern the nature of their magic? And how does a parent decide where their child should be born?

[invigorates]

I am only personally familiar with one young woman who was tainted with Occultism. Her mother, while pregnant with her, participated in an occult ritual and came into contact with a powerful artifact used in the ceremony. The residual magic seeped into the unborn child and tainted it; splitting her soul half in the Veil and half in the mortal realm and twisting her into a shadowy creature.

( there were other examples, but she would have to dig a bit into her history to find them again. )

Places of power are all through the land where leylines converge. The element is usually discernable by the effect had in the surrounding area. Animism enhances the plant growth and houses many variety of animals often not seen together. Conjuring may as well be as hot as the inside of a volcano, and prone to scorching the earth. As for where we choose to birth our young - it is often arbitrary. Moon's Refuge has four places of power within walking distance of the city.

[redprayer]

Hm. [That sounds alarming!]

I see. [Exactly what kind of powers are nearby Moon’s Refuge doesn’t seem important, so he’ll leave that aside.] Are the leylines visible in the land?

And the tainted young woman you spoke of, do you know what became of her?

[invigorates]

They are not. Lunari and some more powerful mages are capable of feeling the magical energies through the land, but they are otherwise invisible and undetectable save for those powerful convergences.

Her name is Rosemary and she currently resides in Garsalia, training with a powerful Occultist to better control her natural abiltiies. She is a lucky one.

[redprayer]

It seems so. Her condition sounds as if it could be hazardous without proper management. Or at least, inconvenient.

[At any rate, Rezo is pleased to hear she didn’t wind up as the central character in a horror story.]

So you have some sensitivity towards magical energies, then? Besides leylines in the earth, is there anything else you can pick up on?

[invigorates]

Mm. ( A soft hum of agreement. Maybe she'll spare him the details of young Rosemary's life prior to being found and properly trained. )

I can sense powerful magics in a small area around me, but I cannot discern specifics much of the time. Just that there is magic about, resonating with the energy within me.

[redprayer]

[That sounds a little too limited to be of much help, unfortunately, considering how easily Shabranigdu escaped notice while he was dormant. At least this means Lioriley probably doesn’t have to be involved?]

Have you noticed much on board the train?

[invigorates]

( bitch you better involve her. )

Quite a bit, but I presumed most of what I felt to be the other magic users aboard. It all feels a bit...odd, if I am honest. Due to the difference in all of our magics.

[redprayer]

[What is she gonna do, PACIFIST Ruby Eye Shabranigdu to death???]

Odd? Can you explain how so?

[invigorates]

( evil beings possessing her friends do not qualify for pacifism. )

'Tis difficult to explain, but they are... different than the magic I am used to. The vibrations I feel are less intense, and do not resonate in my soul like the arcane elements from home may.

[redprayer]

[Rezo makes a thoughtful noise.]

Perhaps the energies aren’t entirely compatible with your body. [Which sounds alarming, but…] However, it doesn’t sound as if it causes you any problems?

[invigorates]

It can be a little unpleasant at times, but it does not hinder me in the slightest. Just a background buzz of sorts...if that makes sense?

[redprayer]

Yes. I am relieved to hear it does not cause significant distress. [It would be unfortunate if she had to deal with that on top of the recent... Well. You know.

...

He has an urge to ask how she's doing but that is probably not a conversation they should have over a public network, let alone while Zelgadis is probably listening in.

So enjoy the awkward pause, Lioriley.]

[invigorates]

( Lioriley waits for another question, but when none come after a few seconds, she clears her throat. )

Is that all you wished to know? I can leave you to question others I am sure are waiting.

[redprayer]

I... suppose that really covers it. [He can probably think of more questions about her magic specifically but he's now covered the two things he's looking for- people who can detect magical disturbances, and people who have a lot of sheer firepower.

He's seen Lioriley fight before, sort of, and she doesn't exactly have firepower at her disposal. But remembering their little skirmish against the flora and fauna of Ciyesia does bring a certain folktale to mind.]

Actually... Lioriley... [She is probably not going to like this, huh.] I know that you have a distaste for combat, but have you ever had to use your abilities in such a manner? Besides against monkeys.

[invigorates]

( It was her turn to pause then; the silence heavy and longer perhaps than she intended. Lioriley wasn't sure what to say - or whether she wanted to say it where everyone could hear. )

I have. Many times. Why?

[redprayer]

…I am unsure of the extent of your limitations.

[Both in terms of raw offensive power, and in terms of how much harm she is willing to inflict if necessary. Lioriley is fairly different from the sorceress who dealt with Rezo-Shabranigdu before.

Then again, for all her violent prodigy status, nobody involved had expected Lina to have an ace up her sleeve either. Rezo just doesn’t want to put his faith into a miracle coming to him twice; hence why he’s going ahead and trying to find if there’s the seed of one planted somewhere within the Voidtrecker Express.]

You need not go into detail, if you are uncomfortable.

[-So he probably shouldn’t go and say things like that. Damn it.]

[invigorates]

That is dependent on the situation.

( she sighed; considered; eventually replied with: )

I would prefer such a conversation be more private, if you do not mind.

[redprayer]

I don’t mind, although…

[He’s sort of with his grandson at the moment except he’s trying not to be open about the fact they’re connected in any particular way, whether by blood or by a mutual interest, and said grandson WILL be lurking on every conversation Rezo is planning on having today? So it won't be super private?]

…I am not alone at the moment, and I expect I will not be for some time. But perhaps we could speak at some point tonight?

[If Zelgadis asks he can probably just give a rough idea of whether or not Lioriley might have any god-killing spells available.]

[invigorates]

( She was briefly tempted to ask who it was that had joined him, but seeing as it was mostly irrelevant save for her desire to speak of anything potentially incriminating in private, she did not say anything.

Hopefully Zelgadis wouldn't be suspicious of her need to not babble of her more dangerous magics aloud. )

Tonight, or whenever you are free. I will likely be in the library.

timeskip + action time

[redprayer]

[Sometime after dinner Rezo decides it’s late enough in the day that instead of returning to the standard coach to wait for people, it’s about time to look for Lioriley instead.

Honestly, if Lioriley hadn’t already told him she would be in the library, he probably would have looked there first. She’s one of the people who remain as constant a fixture as the shelves and chairs.

When he arrives, Lioriley will probably spot him first. Not just because she has the advantage of actually being sighted- and Rezo is 6’3” of eye-catching red robes- but because the gentle chiming of his staff stands out in the relative quiet of the library.

He moves away from the doorway and tilts his head, trying to catch her scent or the sound of her voice.]