voidtreckernet | voice

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voice | rabbit 4

[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.~~]]

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Lioriley assumed, given everything that had happened on Osiga with the world eater and the obvious looming threat of its return, that Rezo was trying to gauge the abilities of those around them on the chance they had to actually fight the thing. And it made sense - because they probably would need to end it somehow. She had just hoped she wouldn't have to put her skills to such use again.

A brow quirked upward, curiosity evident in the soft "Oh?" She replied with. "I do."

“There is a great deal more to the story than just the destruction of Holy magic and the creation of the Mazoku Barrier. During the course of the war, a fragment of the Dark Lord, Ruby Eye Shabranigdu, was unsealed.”

Rezo’s fingers fidget, ever so slightly, under his cloak and where they are wrapped around his staff. This is the first time he has ever mentioned Shabranigdu’s name to Lioriley.

“Just one fragment already had tremendous destructive and corruptive powers, enough to threaten the safety of the entire world. That fragment traveled to the Kataart Mountains in the North to challenge Aqualord Ragradia to battle. The end result was… something of a loss for both sides. Aqualord Ragradia was killed, but they were able to seal the fragment of Shabranigdu into a block of enchanted ice, deep in the mountains.”

And from that, Lioriley will probably be able to guess how her own abilities brought this story to Rezo’s mind.

“The Demon King of the North, as the fragment is called now, is still very dangerous. Lesser demons and other monsters run rampant in the region where he is sealed, and those who have tried to destroy him in the past have either never returned, or been struck with horrific curses. But he is still confined to the spot where he is frozen, and it is easy enough for the average person to simply not approach him.”

Lioriley shivered. She had (obviously) never heard of Ruby Eye Shabranigdu, but the name still sent shivers down her spine; like some primal instinct suggested she should fear such a beast. If she thought about it, she would probably conclude that all her experience with otherworldly or corrupted beings had something to do with it.

Not for the first time during their conversation, Lioriley was tempted to start taking notes again. But in light of the seriousness of the conversation, and not wanting to interrupt him with the rustling of paper, she simply sat and listened - making sure she retained all of the information to catalogue later.

"I am sure there are a variety of similarities and differences between the demons of our realms, but even knowing that, it is possible I would be able to do something similar were any of the demon lords of Valsheria fragmented onto the world." A whole demon lord? Absolutely not. But if its essence had been in pieces she could probably freeze the vessel. "Are there -" she wondered if she should even ask, if it was perhaps a bit off topic when they were more discussing magical abilities. But now she was curious...and a little concerned for Rezo's world. "Are there more of these fragments?"

That is, perhaps, a cheering statement, although Shabranigdu isn’t merely a lord, but the unquestioned king of all mazoku who reside within Rezo’s world. A king in pieces, but still a king, whose power the strongest black magic spells can still call upon to this day.

“Yes,” he says. “The story, passed down through the millennia, is that Shabranigdu was split into seven pieces by Flare Dragon Cepheid, the original shinzoku.” And Ruby Eye Shabranigdu’s opposite equivalent. “About five thousand years ago Cepheid was able to do this, and seal those fragments away, but at the cost of exhausting his own power and sinking into the Sea of Chaos. He was able to create four subordinates before he died, so the power of the shinzoku persisted up until the Kōma War.”

He both desperately wants and doesn’t want to tell her where he fits into this story.

Thankfully, Rezo couldn't see the way she frowned at his confirmation and then continued explanation, even if he likely knew her well enough to assume she was displeased by all of it. Why was every world plagued with such chaos - and why was every attempt to destroy or banish them always thwarted in such a short amount of time (for a Lunari anyway)?

"And what of the other pieces? Where are they?"

“There are many stories about that,” Rezo says slowly. “The most prevalent is that the pieces were sealed away within the souls of human beings, in the hopes that the cycle of death and rebirth would gradually purify them over the course of time. The Demon King of the North was one such case, having awoken within the soul of a prominent sorcerer named Lei Magnus.”

Rezo could tell Lioriley a great deal about Lei Magnus, not as a person- the man had lived and “died” long before Rezo was born- but in terms of the work the sorcerer had done before being overtaken by his fragment. Some of the most powerful spells of black and shamanistic magic had been developed by the man.

“There are, however, theories that the others can be found in different places. Sealed away in the souls of other species such as elves and dragons- although if the intent were to purify the fragments then such species would be less than ideal due to their long lifespans. Or sealed away in magical artifacts, or locations that would be difficult to disturb.”

Such as a thousand-year old abandoned tower, residing in the heart of a lifeless wasteland. Rezo had been convinced that Lei Magnus had somehow stored a fragment within the structure, had believed it desperately, with the same solid conviction that he knew the Demon Sea to be salty and sunlight to be warm. He could have sworn that whenever he was there he could have practically felt the presence of Shabranigdu pressing down upon him as if it were a tangible force.

Gods, he was such an idiot.

The longer he spoke, the more concerned Lioriley became. Of course the back and forth had allowed their conversation to naturally progress to this point, and given Rezo's nature as a scholar and a priest, it made sense that he would have great knowledge of demons and the fragments that had been tossed into various vessels. But she still had to wonder how — and if — this had anything to do with his questioning of fellow voidtreckers concerning their own magical abilities. Moreover, how it related to her own abilities.

"But a human vessel would be ideal, given their lifespans." She confirmed, still frowning. Her mind didn't immediately jump to 'oh my god Rezo has a fragment in his soul' or anything like that — but she did wonder if he was asking for help in some form.

"Is this why you are curious to the talents of other magic users aboard the train? Do you... are you in need of help?" for himself, for someone else, for the world he hailed from?

Well. That is the obvious question, isn’t it, but it doesn’t stop Rezo from looking momentarily alarmed, thinking that she must have guessed his secret. It takes another moment for her words to properly register and realize she isn’t accusing him of being another fragment, and he desperately tries to will his heart rate back to normal.

“No, I- Forgive me. I suppose I let myself get carried away there.” It’s almost not a lie, he thinks, as he pastes on a reassuring smile. Technically, he isn’t in need of any help, not right now. The piece within him lies dormant, if it’s even still there at all. Perhaps he’ll never need to call upon Lioriley, or anyone else, to destroy him.

When has he ever been that fortunate, however?

“Although I will admit, it is reassuring to know that if that level of threat were to appear, there is someone who could help with it.”

Rezo always pinged her inherent magic sense, but nothing about him had ever felt malicious or wrong beyond the strangeness that came with new forms of magic bouncing off her own. And maybe, somewhere deep deep down she considered he might have been involved, somehow, in the whole ordeal he described — but it hadn't made itself prominent enough to accuse him of such a thing. Not to mention the fact that she had no evidence and would be working on a hunch that may upset him if she were wrong. (Or would it upset him more if she was right?)

She noted the shift in expression, then noted the return of the smile with no obvious indication that she had — thankful then that he could not see the way her brows furrowed and her leylines flickered while she tried to work through the myriad of thoughts cycling in her mind.

"Rezo." She said, reaching out to gently rest her hand atop his. "You know that if you need assistance — with anything — you can ask me... yes? Just so we are clear."

There is, Rezo suspects, doubt behind her statement, doubt that everything is as well as he claims. He is unsure if he is just terrible at lying to her, if she is simply very observant, or if anyone would be alarmed after hearing such a story.

Meanwhile, the touch of her hand surprises him, and he tenses, but does not pull away.

“Lioriley…” He tilts his hand, cautiously threading his fingers between her own. He can feel the leylines that ring around her fingers, and he finds he has to resist the urge to stroke them with his thumb.

“Thank you. You have always been kind to me, and have always been trying to help me, ever since I arrived.” When she’d seen him loitering, overwhelmed and bewildered, upon the train platform, and had been worried enough for his safety to approach him.

“I cannot say I fully understand why, but truly, it has always touched me.”

All of the above, perhaps.

She did not think to pull away either when he tensed, knowing full well a blind man couldn't see her hand coming and would ultimately be surprised by the touch even if she had done it a thousand times before. Instead she just waited; squeezed his hand gently.

"You do not have to thank me for doing what any would do in my situation — but, you are very welcome, my friend." She replied, taking the initiative he hadn't and slowly smoothing her thumb along his knuckles — once, twice, and then a few times more. "I only wish the best for you, Rezo." a beat. Rezo might even feel the surge of magic as her leylines pulsed a little faster. "You are very important to me."

The touch of her thumb is a pleasant addition to the already pleasant feeling of her hand in his own. He can feel her pulse, reassuring and steady, through her leylines, and notices when it starts to speed up.

“Ah…”

…Or maybe it’s his own that speeds up. He is unsure what she means by her words, or how he could possibly be that important to her- they have not known each other that long, after all, and while he could understand it if maybe she were like one of the patients he has healed over the years, he has done very little of the problem-solving nature for her.

Then again, she has also said she has only done what anyone would in her situation… While he knows that much is not true, perhaps she also blithely assumes anyone would consider Rezo important. That, perhaps, he is important to her because everyone on the train is, that she refers simply to his inherent value as a person.

It’s a very kind way for her to look at others.

“Thank you.”

Rezo stands there, tongue-tied, for a moment or two, his head instinctively ducked out of an odd sense of shyness. Eventually another subject drifts into his mind, and he’s able to straighten himself out a little.

“Oh yes, I almost forgot.”

With a touch of reluctance he withdraws his hand in order to retrieve something and hold it out for Lioriley to take. It is a small square of paper with a glittery, golden sticker on it, shaped like a star.

“Here. I have been giving these to everyone who has helped me today.”

If Lioriley were not in complete denial about her own feelings toward the priest, this probably would have been a devastating blow to have such a sweet and intimate statement be — literally — rewarded with a sparkly sticker. Mercifully, she didn't seem particularly wounded... just really confused.

"Oh. I — thank you?" A faint, questioning lilt, mostly because she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with that. Of course she took it anyway, letting the sticky star linger on the tip of her finger before she ultimately decided to press it onto the front of her notebook. That was... good. right? "I am happy to help."

Denial is a powerful drug to help one cope with life’s many disappointments, as Rezo could attest. Perhaps one day they’ll both look back on this moment and cringe, but right now the atmosphere is an odd mixture of bewilderment- on Rezo’s end, he’s not quite able or willing to examine the intimacy underlying their interaction- and warmth.

Or at least, there’s certainly warmth in the way Rezo finds himself smiling down at her.

“I know,” he says. “But it is only fair that I give you something.” Even if it’s something she clearly has no idea what to do with; but it’s not like he can just pay her, or anyone else for their time. Would she even enjoy having money? What would she even buy with it?

“What sort of things do you like? This particular reward only seems to have confused you.”

It seems like it would be worth him knowing. You know, in case he has to ask her more questions in the future.

Lioriley didn't think she needed to be rewarded for offering information he had politely requested, and if asked would even say that what he had told her in turn was rewarding enough.

She also knew when to just accept things and not waste everyone's time arguing about stickers. So she kept it, and it would likely remain on her notebook until it fell off.

"I just did not anticipate it." She explained, suddenly uncertain if she should divulge her likes on the chance he was going to go out of his way to find things to give her after future conversations. "I believe you know the majority of my likes already. Books, various teas, flowers of a particularly dangerous variety I would not expect any to try and handle." Wait...did he know that last one?

Well…

“I do not think I was aware of the last one. Could you elaborate on that?” he says, tilting his head.

Of course, considering how much Lioriley tends to worry about others, he dryly adds, “And do not be concerned about my potentially rushing off to find one. I imagine it would be quite difficult to do so without leaving this train, for one thing. But you do realize that your statement will leave me dying of curiosity if you don’t explain it.”

"No? I had thought I mentioned it." Oh well, it wasn't like it was some big secret.

She laughed softly, "Tempting as it is to tease, I certainly am not cruel enough to torment you. My favorite flowers are Oleander - which are incredibly toxic but exceptionally beautiful. Foxgloves and Lily of The Valley are favorites of mine as well, and even handling them could be dangerous." A pause. She debated elaborating. "I am intrigued by the hidden aspects of things and people, as I see it."

Oh, Rezo recognizes the names of those flowers. He even used to know a place where foxgloves were deliberately cultivated as they could, if the dosage was correct, be used to make medicine to regulate the human pulse, although it was certainly a difficult treatment to get right.

Then Lioriley elaborates. And Rezo hesitates, wondering if there’s something in her words that’s meant to be directed at him. Or is that his own guilty conscience speaking?

“...I share your intrigue,” he admits. “Although it is a dangerous one.” Certainly, it’s an interest that can bring one far too close to poisons, thorns, or other, even more serious hazards.

“I hope you know, in spite of your intrigue, not to handle such things too closely. I’d hate to see you…” How to put this? “...Sickened.”

It hadn't been directed at him - most comments weren't even if they seemed to fit appropriately - but, perhaps, when she thought back to this conversation in the future, she would consider the implications.

His comment wasn't that deep - or it wouldn't be to someone lacking the myriad of confusing feelings Lioriley had toward the priest - but the Lunari still felt her heart leap at the thought that Rezo worried for her at all. That he would hate to see anything happen to her.

"Are you speaking of flowers still, my friend - or something else?" Like handling dangerous people she shouldn't be close to, because she had a bad habit of doing that too.

“You speak of an interest in the hidden aspects of people,” Rezo says quietly. “But I find that such things are often hidden for a reason.”

Again, there’s his need to keep a distance making itself known. He’s not sure if it’s out of concern for her wellbeing, or his own.

With a soft exhale, he continues in a more cheerful tone, “Besides, I’ve known quite a number of scholarly individuals over the years. There’s a tendency among our type to let curiosity override good judgment.”

"You are right." She agreed, head absently cocking to one side like she was trying to listen closely for something - or, like it would help her discern why Rezo had felt the need to lower his voice with that last comment.

She straightened up again. "For whatever solace it may bring, I do not pry often, even if I am intrigued by those around me. However, if they wish to tell me any secrets, well, I am very good at keeping them." Was that a subtle hint that if there was anything Rezo wanted to get off his chest, she would be a good candidate? Maybe. She certainly wasn't lying about her ability to keep secrets.

This isn’t the first time he’s considered talking to her about his situation. Lioriley is an intelligent woman with a great deal of magical knowledge under her belt, even if it has a different source than Rezo’s. He can likely trust her to be prudent with the information he gives her.

Yet he knows if he confides in her it will make for a shift in their relationship. Perhaps she wouldn’t despise him, but he cannot imagine their easy friendship surviving it. At best she would pity him; likely, she’d become contemptuous of him, even if she otherwise continued to treat him kindly. Neither one is an appealing option, and it seems he still has enough pride to value someone’s good opinion of him, particularly someone he likes as much as he likes her.

“You are an admirable woman,” he murmurs. It’s a true statement, but it’s also intended as a deflection.

He wants to take her hand again, or to brush his fingers against her cheek, to play with any stray locks of hair he finds. She would let him, he suspects, he’s already held her face in his hands before. But that was during the evacuation on Osiga, when she’d been desperately in need of support and comfort. If he did so now, it would only be of comfort to him, and he’d be taking advantage of her good opinion to do so.

He’s faintly disgusted with himself for the impulse, and he withdraws a step.

He’ll tell her. Eventually. He just has to find the right time.

“I’m keeping you from your reading,” he says. “Pardon me. But thank you for speaking with me.”

Lioriley was constantly resisting the urge to touch him; to comfort him because he always seemed to be so sad and tense, even when he was smiling at her. The Lunari was no stranger to smiles like that - mostly faked for the sake of others, so they wouldn't ask questions. What was he hiding that he was so unwilling to tell her, yet still hinted to time and time again?

"Ah. Thank you." Said almost absently, the compliment barely registered while she replayed the conversation - and a few others - back in search of clues she might have missed. She had said she wouldn't pry, but that certainly didn't mean she wouldn't try to piece together what she could on her own.

Her attention snapped back quickly, mouth down turned in a frown. "You do not have to go." She said, already doubtful he would change his mind.

“It is alright,” Rezo says. “It’s getting late, and I have quite a bit of data to look over before I turn in.” Which is true, and is something he’d been planning on doing mostly on his own.

Although, yes… he does take note of the distracted edge that Lioriley has taken on, and it does make him suspect he’s said too much. And even if he hasn’t, if he continues to speak with her, he’s afraid he will say too much.

It’s not the right time, he tells himself. As if there’s ever a good time to explain that you’re the vessel for a dark god of destruction.

“Goodnight, Lioriley. Until we speak again.” He smiles at her- and it’s another one of those not-quite-real smiles that Lioriley is no stranger to- and turns to leave.

She believed him, of course. Plenty of people had replied to his inquiry, not to mention all the other information she knew he was researching. They both always had data they were looking over.

That fact did not make her feel any better about him leaving after that weighty conversation. But she didn't push - just hummed absently and noted the look he gave her before he turned away.

"Take care, Rezo."

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voice | rabbit 4

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lior no you're giving him an opportunity to be cryptic and dramatic again

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