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

voice;

[invigorates]

( Shocking to literally no one, Lioriley answers almost immediately. Though not to share her magical abilities - since Rezo already knew them well. )

Would you be willing to share your findings once you are through?

[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.

voice

[redmeguca]

I'm willing to run a few tests, but hell if I know how my magic actually works. Even the ones who made it don't really understand it.

[redprayer]

You can think of this as an interview, rather than a test. So, what do you mean by your magic being “made?”

[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?

[redmeguca]

It's the result of basically alien super science. It somehow takes your karmic potential, the things you'd go on to do in a normal life, and turns it into magical power. The more potential, the stronger the Magical Girl.

[redprayer]

How strong do Magical Girls normally get?

[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?

[redmeguca]

On average I'd say kinda middling. Most don't figure out much beyond their personal magic and a basic grasp of their weapon before getting killed by a Witch or another Magical Girl that's mad there's new competition. That, or they use too much magic and become a Witch, thinking the worst that'll happen if their Soul Gem fills is being unable to use their magic. That's the average one though, it can vary a lot.

[redprayer]

[Kyoko will be able to faintly hear the sound of Rezo jotting some notes.]

Could you give me an explanation about the relationship between Magical Girls, Witches, and Soul Gems?

[It sounds like Soul Gems are apparently attached to a Magical Girl's magical energy, but he's just guessing based on the context.]

As well as that, how strong would you say you are in comparison to an average Magical Girl?

[redmeguca]

A Soul Gem is exactly what it sound like: our souls torn from our bodies and crystalized when we make our contracts. It's the source of our power, but negative emotions and using magic fill it with impurities over time. Witches are what Magical Girls fight against, but they used to be Magical Girls themselves.

As for me, it kind of depends on if you mean normally or right now. Normally I'd say I'm above average, having a decent amount of power and the experience to put it to good use. Now? Exposure to stuff like weak parts of reality and Usagi's powers have made me one of the most powerful in history, and made sure I'll never become a Witch myself.

[redprayer]

Usagi is another one of the passengers, correct?

[It sounds as if her own magic is quite something, if it’s able to enhance Kyoko’s abilities so much.]

Then, how much of a danger have the Witches you’ve fought in the past posed? And how would they compare to the caliber of threats you’re able to face now?

[redmeguca]

Like a lot of stuff with my system, it depends on a lot. No two Witches have the same powers, it can range from "an ordinary person could beat this one with a little luck" to "could kill freaking Vegeta." Heck, those could be the same Witch even. There's really no predicting them.

[redprayer]

...Are you referring to the same Vegeta from the Red Team?

[Is Vegeta another Magical Girl/Witch or is it just a common name between dimensions

At any rate, once Kyoko has confirmed or denied, Rezo continues on:]

So a Magical Girl's abilities are varied by individual. What specific abilities do you, personally, have?

[redmeguca]

Yeah, that's the one.

Anyway, I've got chains and illusions, and I can make solid copies of myself. Enchanting and healing too, but that's stuff any Magical Girl can do if they know how.

[A second voice cuts in, one that is very similar to Kyoko's own.]

And, of course, there is myself. Kyoko-sama's Doppel, the thing that sets her above others of her kind. I offer her control of flames and protection from becoming something so detestable as a mere Witch.

Yeah, dial back on the ego a bit, Ophelia. I doubt he really cares how much better than Witches Dopples are.

[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.

Voice

[eternalinquiry]

While I personally do not think cultivation is 'Magic' per-say. It has been described by others as magical enough times for me to think you may wish to include it.

[Voice]

[goingthroughaphase]

Are...you looking for abilities that are specifically magic?

[redprayer]

[Rezo listens, thinking this all sounds like Kyoko makes for a powerful warrior, but unlikely to be near the level of the Dark Lord, Shabranigdu- Then Ophelia surprises him by piping up.

Apparently there’s another little twist in how Kyoko’s magic system works!]

I would like to hear more about Doppels, actually. How do you protect Kyoko?

[He’s not exactly optimistic it’ll be much of a help with his issue, but he’s still curious!]