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]

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.”

[invigorates]

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.

[redprayer]

“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.

[invigorates]

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."