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[les_magique]

Expanding our skillsets seems to our advantage. Whatever bizarre situation we find ourselves in next, the more capable we are the less likely we are to get hurt. So with that in mind, does anyone want to learn how to be a wizard? My magic may not be the most powerful, but it is adaptable, and can be learned by anyone.

In theory. I've never tried to teach it to someone from another dimension and it might just not work, but it's not like we have any shortage of free time around here is it?

And then...

[She hesitates]

If... that doesn't sound like something you're interested in I DO have another, more unusual offer.

I've worked out the prototype of a spell that should be able to nearly instantly send a...a blob, for lack of a better word, of arcane energy from me to a target. The problem is, the target has to be animate or it can't lock on.

So...basically I need someone who's willing to get hit in the face with blasts of energy so I can test it out. Which I realize is a kind of unreasonable thing to ask someone, so if no one is willing to I'll just come up with something else. I have points, and I can make enchanted items, so I'm not above bribing people, if that's what it takes.

[A beat.]

Oh right that was the other thing! I can make enchanted items! Flying carpets and magic spectacles and other such fantastical things! If you can acquire the raw materials I need to make something, I will make it for you. If you have an idea of what you want, I will brainstorm with you over how that idea might translate into something I can actually make! Just get in touch with me. My name is Samata Mahto.

[BONUS ACTION PROMPT FOR GARRETT]

Samata had never actually met the thief she had spoken to in person, but he had told her that he could get her a jeweler's tool kit and, equally importantly, a big pile of silver. Silver was a critical component for making enchanted items. She wasn't sure why, but experimentation had determined that it could expand a person's odic field in strange ways, and also interact with magical currents.

Which was why she was knocking on the door of someone she had never met face to face. She'd worked with criminals before. This was fine.

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[themasterthief]

The door didn't open at least not with Garrett behind it. Whether she got the information from one of his roommates and went searching for him, or he heard someone was looking for him and tracked her down--eventually the two ran into one another.

"Heard you were looking for me," the arachne said and if Samata looked towards where the voice came from she was going to have to doubletake, and look up. He was stuck to the ceiling.

Though not for long. The thief did a nice flip down onto the ground and stood back up from a crouch. He rolled his shoulders once and then drew in his extra limbs so they almost (but not quite) disappeared into the black clothing he wore.

"Which is good, because I meant to come looking for you."

[les_magique]

She took a step back in surprise from the rather dramatic entrance. "Am I!?"

Wait, she WAS looking for someone. And she didn't really know what he looked like. A disadvantage of digital communication technology she hadn't considered. Or possibly an advantage, depending on how incognito you wanted to be when speaking with someone. "Oh wait. Are you Garrett? The, er...procurement expert?"

[themasterthief]

"That would be me," he responded with a wry expression. He liked the way she put it. It was obvious they both knew what he really meant but it didn't hurt to just keep that under the table. Some people around here might not agree as readily as other to his methods, even if he did as little harm as possible in the process.

"Protip: the passenger roster includes pictures of everyone on board the train." Which was why he knew who to look for even when he didn't get anything besides a name. That and, well, he had a tendency to eavesdrop whenever he was around other people for any reason. "But I don't blame you for your surprise. The picture would have only revealed so much. And I do use the audio only function on the ICPs for a reason. I'm sure you can figure that one out."

He wasn't exactly proud of his Ryslig heritage. It tended to make some things harder than they needed to be. He was used to it, sure, but you know.

[les_magique]

"Y...yes. I can see why that might be desirable."

She didn't seem scared of his appearance, at least, once she got over the surprise. She filed the note about the passenger roster away for future reference and pressed on. "But I've met plenty of strange looking people, and it seems like people are people regardless of what they look like on the outside."

[laurefindil]

An animate target?

As your wizardry is different from mine, I would like a test run first. But I have faced energy blasts before, so I am willing to help.

I am intrigued by your offer to exchange this service for an enchanted item. Although, to be honest, I do not know what item I would want, so I will leave it to your judgement. Just...no rings, please.

[les_magique]

I really need to hear what happened to you that involved rings, but it's fine. I don't know how much magic I could do with something as small as a ring anyways.

But the way the spell works involves making a connection between my odic field and someone else's and that then shooting a blob of energy along it. In theory, there should be no way to dodge it because it's literally connected to you.

In practice, I haven't tried it yet so I don't know exactly what will happen. There might be some variable I haven't worked out yet.

[laurefindil]

I would be happy to share the story with you at any time. It is a cautionary tale, to be sure.

Interesting. Well, we can try it and see what will happen. Where and when?

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[sacrament_of_blood]

I am willing. I ask only that you give me a little time for the wound to heal. It should be but a few minutes or less, depending on the severity. Something to eat also would not be amiss, as recovering can make me somewhat hungrier.

[les_magique]

I...honestly didn't expect anyone to go for it. I can bring something to eat, if you like. I'm not much of a cook but I'm learning.

[sacrament_of_blood]

If you are not entirely prepared for that, I can simply bring my own food. After all, it is my team's turn to cook.

[She considers.] Might it be possible for you to enchant a knife?

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[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita's not in her cabin at the moment, but she looks at once both dubious and interested.]

Is it blocked if there's a shield involved? If not, then we could both get some practice in.

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[les_magique]

In theory, you can't dodge it, but blocking it should be perfectly possible.

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[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita nods.]

I'm game to help try it, then. Though we'll probably want to cordon off an area or something...

[Even with shields, the energy has to go somewhere. And whatever happens, the train's not going to be the one getting damaged.]

[areasontohope]

You can..train other people to be wizards?

[After hearing Nita's explanation he wasn't sure wizarding or any of that was anything he'd be compatible with. But with a certain warrior to protect and he'd gotten training from Gladio..it was worth a shot.]

[les_magique]

I certainly can! That's the whole point of wizardry! Some people are just born with magic, but ANYONE can learn to be a wizard.

In theory. It does require a certain proficiency in mathematics.

[areasontohope]

[Wow...she was really enthusiastic Yuki decided. Some people are born with magic..did a curse count? Well, only one way to find out really...]

I can handle mathematics.

[Hopefully he didn't learn anything to turn his curse back on.]

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[flatteries]

.. Samata, not to be negative about your plans or anything like that, but.. "get hit in the face with blasts of energy" kind of sounds like something that might kill someone.

[ Of course he knows she's not aiming to kill someone with it, but that still sounds awfully dangerous! ]

[les_magique]

Don't remind me.

[No that flippant remark is not her whole answer.]

I've triple checked the math. It probably wouldn't kill a normal person. But that's not what I'm counting on. Surely you've noticed that the people on this train aren't, for the most part, normal people. They're- We're fairly exceptional, for the most part.

[flatteries]

Well, that much is true..

[ He's heard some wild stories from some people on this train, after all. ]

But still.. be careful though, alright? I mean-- I know you're careful! You seem really smart and nice, after all. But I know you'd feel super guilty if something bad would happen, so make sure it's someone who could really withstand that.

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[usestwohands]

[The Drow on the other end of the line looks apologetic as he sits before the screen in his cabin.]

I have no skill at wizardry. [That is not for lack of trying. He's just terrible at it.] Experience has taught me I am an apt target, though. Also, I could aid in the acquisition of materials for your enchantments, such as when we next make port? I am a ranger by trade and by lifestyle. I once studied the science of wizardry, and I have a book knowledge of certain requirements. My name is Drizzt.

[les_magique]

[That's another world that has wizardry besides hers. It seems to be pretty common everywhere else.]

It DOES take a lot of math, and I know some people don't have a head for numbers.

But if you want to help me gather materials, I need silver, mainly. Lots of it. Especially for making enchanted items.

[usestwohands]

I have the head, but not the patience. I work better with my hands, not cantrips and algorithms.

[And his tone is even, like he discussing the weather.]

Silver. [He nods.] I'll keep a look-out, though it may have to wait until we next make port.

[sizedoesntmatter]

[With Yugi wanting to find something he could do, he figured he might as well give this a try. If it failed at least it was a skill he could cross off, right?]

So anyone can give it a try? The learning part at least... Because I might be interested.

[les_magique]

The only people who can't learn to be a wizard are those who lack the dedication to work at it even when it gets hard.

[sizedoesntmatter]

Great. Then I'm interested.

[He was at least dedicated to finding something he could do to help. Sure he could help use strategy, but he wanted to help a little bit more.]