Complete Private ✪ Finweald Debating Applications

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

No appointments, no rumours to chase, no immediate level grinding to do. Kyra was left staring at her apartment room in Finweald as she tried to consider what to do with her day. She had no plans, nothing urgent that required her attention, in fact there was nothing that needed to be done at all currently. Which meant, that she was free to do...well, whatever she wanted.

Which leaves the question of...what do I want to do?

A problem that had cropped up about an hour ago, and which Kyra still didn't have a solution for, as of yet. Not that it seemed like anything was coming to her immediately, either. Her eyes glanced over the apartment again, looking over the bed that had replaced the cot, the desk that had been upgraded again and again. Far cry from that apartment back in Stokbon where Ash and I...

She grinned as a thought came to her, moving across to the table to pull out a parchment and paper. It wasn't necessarily a solution - unless he was in the area, and willing to drop by - but it was better than what she had to do so far.

Mail

Dear @Ash Vargold;

I know it's been a while since we last saw one another, but I was wondering if you had time today to meet up? I've got nothing to do for the next several hours, and figured it would be nice to get together and maybe have a coffee and some snacks, and discuss...well, anything that came to mind, really.

Let me know if you're available, and in the area - oh, I'm in Finweald, by the way. Please find the attached...directions? I think it'll attach directions here.

Looking forward to hearing from you, and wishing you all the best;
Kyra Vashtana

She finished inputting the detailed coordinates and address details for her letter, before sending it off into the digital world. Sitting back, she stared at the blank parchment beside the one she had written on, waiting for a reply, hoping that something would come in. Imagine being in a wonderful, fantastical world...and being bored.

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

It was still strange, thinking of Terrasphere as a job. Maybe if it had a proper job description it would feel more normal, but it felt more like a teenager's dream of the video game industry. Paid to play videogames. Hah...

Ash was having trouble finding things to do, though. He'd already written something about the battle for Camp Hope. Probing Vintergard's secrets was still something too dangerous for him to attempt, especially after the proverbial kicking of the hornet's nest. And he just didn't care much for side-questing right now...

And then the notification came. He skimmed through it, but it didn't take more than seeing the open to guess who had sent it. So Kyra was in the area, huh? He hadn't talked with her since that fight with the DEAD.naught. By the time he'd recovered from his all-nighter, she'd already left.

Mail

Sure. See you in a bit.

(Did shorter messages give Kyra shorter 'letters'? Really, it was ridiculous how she overcomplicated PMs...)

---

He'd vaguely expected the address to lead to one of Finweald's many cafes. That it instead lead to what appeared to be an apartment building was a little surprising. Was he in the right place? Had Kyra moved?

Mail

I think I'm at the right place. Waiting outside, if you want to let me in.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

The first letter had appeared within moments of the original being sent. As was usual, short and sweet - a simple confirmation. She smiled as she glanced away, considering what needed to be done. She'd already tidied up, as much as she could, and glancing around she confirmed that nothing had changed over the past few minutes that she had been waiting.

The follow up message had come only shortly afterwards, confirming that Ash had finally arrived. Kyra found herself bolting out the front door, and down the single flight of stairs to the main floor. She slammed open the main door, smiling as she spotted Ash standing outside, waiting to be let in.

Well...are you going to come in, or just stand there in the fresh air? Come on! Did you want like a tea, or coffee, or hot chocci or something?

She waited for him to slide in past her, before making sure the door shut behind them. Turning, she led the way down the hall back to the stairs, taking them casually on the way up towards the apartment.

I hope the directions were simple enough to follow, I've never actually done that before. Actually, I've never had anyone over before. This is kind of a first. Oh! I should've made something to eat! I mean, I can still do that, so long as you're okay to wait a bit. Or I mean, worst comes to worst there's some food shops around the-

She paused, reaching her door, popping it open so that Ash could file inside, before she followed in and closed it behind her. She left the door unlocked, for the time being. The area had been pretty safe, and most people left her alone now anyways.

I would say sorry for the mess...but I mean, I spent all morning cleaning and stuff...cause, you know, not much to do...uhm...there's some couches in the main seating room, just off to the left. Or if you want, kitchen is off to the right. Uh-there's nothing upstairs, so uh...yeah. I mean there's my...bedroom and stuff...but uh...nothing important...

She rushed in front of the stairs, holding her arms out and a suddenly flushed expression on her face as she remembered the one area she had forgotten to clean up.

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash heard the sudden scramble of Kyra approaching, giving him a moment to brace himself before Kyra came bursting out of the door. He still jumped, though - he hadn't expected her to open it with that much force.

"Sh-um. Hi Kyra. You're energetic." He took a moment to compose himself, returning her smile with his own. "I think I'm fine, but hot chocolate might be nice if it isn't going to be a problem..."

He followed her in, taking the occasional moment to look around the building. It was certainly nicer than her previous location, and true to Astorean culture it looked a bit more modern. That impression held as he entered Kyra's apartment proper. "Oh, wow. Definitely an upgrade from before. Less plastic, too."

He smirked, then briefly considered if he should be taking off his shoes. At least he wasn't wearing the full outfit - after the incident at Camp Hope, he'd picked up a few more casual outfits. In the end, he decided not to bother unless Kyra mentioned otherwise.

She was still rather frantic seeming. Ash shook his head, hands in his pockets. "I'm not an apartment inspector, Kyra. It's not going to bother me if your apartment looks like someone is living in it." He motioned towards the sitting room. "You don't have to play the host for my sake. How about we both sit down?"

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

She felt herself flush more as Ash seemed so calm, entirely in contrast to Kyra's own excited nature. She dropped her arms, fiddling with her sweater ever so slightly as she glanced around, before waving an arm towards the sitting room off to the side.

Yeah...yeah let's uh...sit to start with. Uhm...I mean you go sit, I'll put on some hot chocci. Did you want anything to eat? I've got some snacks about...or I can make something...

She waited just long enough before heading over into the kitchen. It didn't take her long to prepare the numerous pieces, pulling out a few boxes of local cookies, crackers, cheeses and a collection of various fruits, she spread them across a fancier plate that she had picked up somewhere along the lines.

Alright, here's the hot chocci, and a few snacks...I mean if we want something a bit more I can make something! Or...well, maybe order something...burning the place down might not be the best idea...

She hesitated as she set down the plate and cups, before taking her seat. Her tail swayed behind her in a speed that caused a minor breeze to reach up towards the ceiling, only bringing imagery to her nervousness. She glanced around the apartment, looking for anything to hold her attention aside from the man seated across from her.

So...how have you been? Been a while, right?

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Oh, geez, you didn't have to get the fancy plate out for me-" But the food was there now, and... well, it did look and smell good. Better than his usual diet, even if it wouldn't be as effective at dulling his hunger. Well, nothing wrong with taking a break from 'efficient' meals. "...but thanks anyway. It looks good."

He didn't take anything yet, though. Not even the steady heartbeat of being with a friend could keep him from being nervous about how he should behave here. It wasn't like Aisling did much going over to friends' houses in real life, let alone in a video game...

"I've been okay," Ash said, warming his hands with the mug of hot chocolate as his tail thumped nervously on the seat. "I've been taking it easy after. You know. Everything at Camp Hope. A lot happened there."

Taking a drink, at least, didn't seem like a step too far. Plus, it let him cover his mouth as he glanced at Kyra over the cup. "And what about you? I passed out before I could check in, but... well. I saw you get kicked from the party."

I saw you die, he didn't say, but the implication was probably all too clear.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra's gaze suddenly stopped, locked on the ceiling directly above her. She should've known the topic of Camp Hope would arise. Had, in fact, spoken to others about it. But something about the situation, the person she was with now, caused her to hesitate. For long than could be considered a normal pause, Kyra found herself sitting in silence. When she did eventually speak, her voice was quiet, reserved; far different from the excitement it had mere moments ago.

I...yeah, I guess I would've disappeared from the party...I didn't make it. So to speak...I remember...

She shivered, the memories of the final moments of the battle flashing through her mind. She tried to push the thoughts aside, forcing a smile that seemed almost hollow.

We won though, from what I heard...which is all that really matters, right?

She shifted on the couch, still staring at the ceiling. Her tail had stopped moving in response to the conversation, and her ears had drooped slightly as she spoke.

Anyways...uhm...spoken with any ghosts lately? I uh...I got hired on to do some investigating towards a situation that may and/or may not have included meeting a Reaper face to face...

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash frowned. Starting off the conversation with such a dark topic was... probably not great behavior for a guest. But it was better to get it over with now, right? Especially considering the consequences that followed.

"We did win, yeah. Just..." Ash lowered his cup, staring down at the liquid. "...dying's got consequences, is all. It can take a bit to show it's head, but if you notice anything off, physically or mentally...

He looked up again with a weak smile, and brought a hand to his chest. "...well, don't be afraid to bring it up with me, alright? Finding out the game's messing with your head is terrifying enough - doing it alone is even worse."

He lowered his hand and exhaled. Steady heartbeat or no, that had been rough. "...anyway. No ghosts, but I've been taking a break from any serious adventuring. Trying to make sure I leave the house every so often, y'know?"

With the hard parts behind him, he was finally comfortable enough to swipe some of the cheese off the board. "But... what do you mean, a 'reaper'. Like... an honest to god psychopomp?" He couldn't help but lean forward, tail twitching with interest.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra smiled broadly as Ash's attention was pulled towards her encounter. She'd yet to tell anyone else about it, and the energy returning to her became obvious as her tail quickly swayed into motion again. She began speaking in a rushed voice, explaining everything without going into all the details of the experience.

Well! I was following up with this rumour of old folks disappearing in a small village, and met up with Moonie - Moonsong, friend of mine - and we followed the trail towards this crypt. The old gravedigger at the village had told us about this Reaper who was coming to take people away, specifically the old folks. Anyways - we got to this crypt, and it was super creepy and Moonie was absolutely terrified, although she'll deny it thoroughly!

She realised she was getting off track, and tried to pull herself back, shaking her head slightly to clear away some of the excitement. Her tail had picked up speed as well, the small breeze turning into something strong enough to sway some of the nearby leaves from the plants in the apartment.

So we went down into the crypt, and followed some paths until we eventually got to this one room...

Her voice faltered suddenly as she remembered the image of the floating body, suspended in the air between the pillars that glowed with purple flame. It had been...an experience, that had stayed with her.

...there was a person there, sort of floating...not one of the old folks, I don't think...but we tried to get closer and were stopped by a barrier. Like a magical force field of some kind...and that's when I saw it. A hooded figure in the distance, on the other side of this raised dais. It just...sort of stood there, watching us. Moonie tried to attack it, but...well, it just deflected everything she threw at it. Then it spoke.

She remembered the voice. Cold, emotionless, never changing. It had been...empty. A shiver ran down her back at the memory of the voice.

It asked us where our souls were...ended up telling us that Starcalled...'Starcalled, Traveller, Player. You are known by many names, but there is one by which you are truly revered for; Deathless. The mortals of this world consider you infallible, as you do not die. Or so they think. I am here, to remind you of what awaits you, should you meddle too much in this world.'...that's what it said. It...it said that, then it simply...vanished. Along with the woman who was floating...

She shivered again, suddenly feeling cold as the memory played out. Her excitement had suddenly disappeared as everything came crashing back. Something about the encounter still haunted her, in a way.

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash frowned as Kyra spoke. It sounded like a standard encounter, albeit a spooky one. It was its word choice that was strange. Few entities were aware of the idea of a "player", and none of them could really comprehend what that really meant.

He leaned forward, folding his hands as he thought. "That's... hm. Certainly had some ominous things to say, huh?"

Where their souls were...

"...you know, I keep wondering what counts as a 'soul' here in Terrasphere." He flicked an ear as he began to let his thoughts wander. "Hanno claims to see them for both players and Lander... but he also believes in souls in reality. I just see ghosts, and I've yet to see a player ghost, UI locked or otherwise."

He took another snack, but ended up just staring at it instead of putting it in his mouth. "I don't know what that 'reaper' would consider a soul worth taking. Or what it even is. Haven't really studied Lander religion, y'know?" He popped the grape into his mouth. "You didn't see it again, after that?"

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Kyra shook her head. They hadn't come across it after that encounter, nor had she seen anything like it since. Yet, it still haunted her dreams every once in a while, still made its appearance when she was least expecting it. As if it was following her around somehow.

Just the once...but it definitely left a...an impression...

Understatement as that may be. She shifted on the couch, uncomfortable with the thought of the Reaper in her mind once more. She'd been doing everything she could to forget about that thing. It had disturbed her more than she'd like to admit, even with the fact that she had modelled herself after it.

She considered what Ash had said a few moments ago, about how everyone saw 'souls' differently, and whether or not there were souls to be found within TerraSphere. Her brow furrowed slightly, and her tail slowly began twitching at the tip.

If I had to guess...I'd say you could find souls in TerraSphere. You just have to look for them...take me for example.

She closed her eyes for a few seconds, summoning forth the Spirit Magic, bringing the soul line into her vision. When she opened her eyes again, she could see the line connecting herself to Ash, the violet colour meshing with the soft, green glow that seemed to shimmer from his form.

When I look at the soul lines that connect...everyone, I can see the normal violet lines that create the connections. It's...like my connecting line to other, living things. And all living things have them. Then there's the soft glow of different individuals...yours, for example is green...

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

It was always a little odd, seeing Kyra's more cheerful mask slip. Not that he could be surprised, when the subject of death came up. He stared at nothing in particular as he spoke up, voice oddly flat. "I can't say I'm surprised. People aren't really built to look their death in the eye metaphorically, let alone have a physical reminder jump-scaring you."

He twisted the cup in his hands a few times, then took a drink. Better to let that thought pass, especially when lighter subjects were available. Such as the... apparent color of his soul.

"Green?" He couldn't help but reach up to tug his bangs. Green hair had been one of those choices Aisling had made on a whim that Ash just had to live with now. "Gee, I wonder why."

There was a wry smile on his face as he let his hand drop back into his lap. "I guess basing your 'soul' color off your character's color scheme works as well as any other method. I wonder if it's just based on how your perception works, though? Even with ghosts, I don't really see a color."

For good measure, he squinted vaguely around Kyra's apartment, senses on alert. "And if it makes you feel any better, I don't smell any unexpected ones lurking around here. Just a nice, not-haunted apartment."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

She giggled at Ash's responses, especially his concern over her apartment being haunted. Or feigned concern, rather. Not that she'd even considered it - nor would she be overly worried. A Reaper shouldn't fear those beyond the living, after all...

Well...I'm certainly glad to hear I'm not being haunted, that matches with the lack of ghosts I've seen around here!

She tried, without success for a few moments, to control her laughing fit. When she had eventually calmed down, she reached forward and took a sip of the hot chocci, before wrapping herself up more comfortably on the couch - pulling her feet in towards herself and wrapping her tail around her legs in an almost ball-like appearance.

Yours is the only one that's matched the colour of their avatar...or, well physical appearance, I guess. Lander's don't really have avatars...but yeah, you being green is...weird. I've come to realise that colours kind of correlate to...experiences? Or rather...not emotions, but things in the past...or personalities maybe?

She raised her left eyebrow as she looked up at the ceiling, trying to organise her own thoughts. She'd never brought these ideas to voice before, and she realised for the first time that she'd just...assumed her knowledge, without actually considering any of it aloud - or in her mind, really.

Like...okay, take me for example. I've managed to see my own essence, sort of...

She held out her arm, staring at it as she spoke. It took a lot of focus, but she could just barely see the purple-glow that emanated from it, as if hovering on the edge of her vision.

...I've got this almost purple-violet hue. I've seen a few people with the same colour-hue, and it's usually those who are intent on spending their lives healing, or helping others...like, those who focus their lives on it...

Real selfless of you...focus... She shook the thought away, before continuing her explanation.

...but then I see people with different colours. And the colours can change, it happens sometimes. I've seen people with yellow...auras, for lack of a better term. They are usually people like the Lions, who like to put themselves in harms way to protect others. Reds are people with anger. Overwhelming anger, who lash out at...well, anyone who wrongs them. Greens...greens are those who are lying to themselves, or hiding something. People who pretend to be happy, but truly aren't.

She stared at Ash as she gave the final couple of sentences, watching for his reaction. She'd noticed the colour a while ago, something she'd seen in a few others. The worry on her face was apparent as she eyed the man, concern that couldn't be hidden.

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash paused, leaning back as Kyra said her peace. So that's how this sort of thing worked for her, huh?

"...I can't say I ever put much stock into mood rings. And the way I see it, having the game plugged into my brain doesn't it make it any different." He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. "...won't say I don't do any lying to myself, though. Sorta necessary, really."

He tapped the side of his head. "After all, even with store-bought neurotransmitters, some things are hard to unlearn."

Aisling didn't let to let that kind of personal information slip. Even behind the mask of anonymity, it felt like too much. Both for him to expose, and for him to inflict on Kyra. But it was the easiest way to shift the topic to something he at least understood, unlike the thing he imagined was actually on her mind.

And yet, it was still lying.​

"It does make me wonder, though... do you see those colors all the time? Or do you have to activate something?" He straightened up, taking another drink. "If it was something you only saw after meeting someone, it could just as easily be your own gut instinct through a magical filter."

He paused, then smiled. "Not saying that's bad, though. There's a lot to be said for gut instinct."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

She shook her head, smiling as Ash finished speaking. It was certainly an interesting viewpoint on how it worked - she'd never correlated it with mood rings before, mostly because it felt like something beyond that. It wasn't a matter of current mood, or personality, after all.

It's an activation thing...kind of. Sometimes it acts passively, but usually it's something I have to initiate. Although I wouldn't say that what I see is impacted by my feelings of someone. For example, and I've tested this, if I activate it before meeting someone, and see them a specific colour - even if they act in a way that I wouldn't expect, well...the colour doesn't necessarily change. Nor does my opinion of someone change it.

She waved a hand towards Ash, as if trying to bring attention back to him.

Using yourself as an example...and I know you said that we all lie, but I don't see your main personality as a lie, or a liar. Sure, I'm certain you've lied about something before - I know I have...

An image of a small girl in her arms, words of comfort coming from Kyra's mouth, flashed through her mind. For a moment she sat rigid, the air between the two of them silent as she tried to recover from the memory.

...I...me knowing that you've lied, isn't...isn't what makes your colour the way it is. I don't have control over it. I've tried, tried to change my opinions on people - or in some cases have had my opinion changed...but the aura doesn't change. I don't know what causes it, what determines it...but it's not me. Neither consciously, nor unconsciously.

She shook her head, trying to clear away the afterimage of the memory. She didn't need to be dealing with that now. Plastering a smile on her face, she stuck her tongue out at Ash.

And it's not like a mood ring either...it doesn't change on a whim. In fact...I haven't really seen it change on too many people...

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Weird." And it was weird. He wasn't sure how else to feel about it, not without going off on another rambling speech about... what? The qualia of a soul's color? "Maybe it's based on a person's perception of self, then? I mean, this game's plugged pretty deep into our brains, if you really think about it..."

And what did that say about Ash? Nothing particularly new, honestly. "Ash" was, after all, wasn't a real person in the end, even if the person piloting it was.

It still bothered him, somehow.​

"Someone joins the Lions because they want to protect people. You've made it clear that helping people is something you've been trying to do even before you joined the game." He paused, ears folded back as he tried to think of a way to describe himself without being too self-deprecating... or saying too much. "And I started playing because video games let you take a break from real life baggage for a few hours. Maybe that's what's getting picked up."

He returned Kyra's expression with a bemused eyeroll. "Honestly, I'm amazed green was the "lying" color. Normally that's envy, isn't it?"

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

Her ears flattened against her head as Ash began mentioning how the colours may represent what someone's aspirations in game might be. She was surprised, then, that hers hadn't come out another colour.

Well, yeah I think envy is usually green...I don't know. There's different shades too...and sometimes they overlap a bit. The only one that I've seen that's fairly consistent is...black...

She looked away from Ash as she mentioned it, specifically looking in the opposite direction of the mirror. She hadn't wanted to think about that, not now. It had come out of her before she'd even considered what she was saying.

So...your magic doesn't let you see anything beyond like, ghosts and stuff? So it's more like a...ghost whisperer ability then? You're like the Ghost Whisperer of TerraSphere.

She grinned as she spoke, trying to change the topic and poke a bit of fun at her guest. She doubted he'd take unkindly to it, based upon their previous experiences together - but she was careful to limit the amount of jesting.

Weird...how everyone's abilities are always so different, isn't it? Like even the minor nuances of the spellcasting, and the side effects, and...well, everything about it. Like, I know a few people who initiate their magic by reciting spells, and doing funny hand movements, or typing in lines of code...and then there's some who just...cast it.

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash nodded. "That's how it's been since the start, for me. It was kind of what I envisioned when I picked Spirit Magic, anyway" He gestured vaguely at himself. "When I made my character, I was basing it off an old character of mine. 'Ash Vargold' as a concept is older than Terrasphere, and that included a backstory. A figurative and literal haunted noble sort, thus the whole... look."

"Believe it or not, I was planning on actually roleplaying that when I joined in. You know, before the whole 'literal death game' thing came to light."

With a few gestures he pulled out his runestone, which drifted gently above his hand. To him, it was a magical focus that occasionally served as a shelter for the ghosts he commanded. But to Kyra's eyes, the runestone might have been a more complicated thing - a chaotic nest of fragmented souls, tethered to Ash's own in a way that flowed both directions.

"I'm not sure if I'm really 'casting' spells. Most of what I do is just... asking the spirits to do things, and hoping they listen." Unaware of anything odd, Ash watched the ruby eyes glint as the runestone spun. "It's the one thing that I don't use assist for, except for things like that summoning circle back in camp."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

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Scythe Mastery ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Spirit Magic ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aeromancy ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Corrupt

She suddenly appeared excited as Ash pulled out the small runestone, letting it hover about him. Standing, she moved across the room to a small chest that had sat in the corner, closed and piled upon by a collection of clothing, books and other assortments. She delicately moved them aside, before open the chest and pulling out a small orb.

I've got something kind of like that too...actually this came about a while ago, but I've...kept it kind of placed away for a while...

She glanced down at the dormant piece in her hands, wondering if this was a mistake. She had put the thing away for a specific reason, and now here she was, pulling it back out. Softly, she whispered to the thing in her hands, bringing it to life.

You can awaken now. I won't hurt you...nor will he.

She still had no idea how the thing could see what was around it, nor even how it could speak. All she knew about it was that it had disturbed her at first, appearing out of nowhere, only to follow her around incessantly. And when it did speak...well, it sounded like something from a horror genre.

Awaken...I do not sleep...do not be afeared, new one. I am...here to but serve...

The voice was wispy, feminine as far as Kyra could tell. It reminded her of something dangerous, wise and willing to use it's cunning to get what it wanted. Bad news all around as far as she was concerned.

Releasing it, it hovered around her left shoulder, moving through means that Kyra still hadn't figured out. As she settled back onto the couch, it remained by her shoulder, no obvious signs of having transitioned - as if it stayed by her through the pull of her own gravity.

As far as I've been able to tell, it's friendly enough.

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Oh, really? I got this focus a while ago, but..." Ash trailed off as Kyra retrieved the dark orb. He'd seen something like that before, but it couldn't actually be...

It moved. It whispered, and the color and the movement was all too familiar. Ash found himself moving away from Kyra, fur standing on end as memories flickered in the back of his mind. Such a simple shape, that dark orb, but he couldn't help but make the connection.

"That... I've seen something like that before."

How could he forget it? That last swansong of the Matron, that dark orb of ill omen that had cracked before being consumed. "Up north. Summoned by a giant insect that was corrupted by a demon. It was some kind of attack that we barely stopped it from using."

And Kyra was here letting it hover over her shoulder like a particularly strange parrot.

"Where... where did you get that?

@Kyra Vashtana