fiddlestick | aefenglom IC Inbox

S-Sorry. You just mentioned being decades old, so I figured you'd look...old? I don't know how spirits age.

[He sighs, okay catch his breath]

Right, sure. I have the afternoon free, so that works for me. Any spots you'd recommend?

[He covers his mouth so he can avoid laughing, but he's a little shy himself. You won't catch him admitting it, though.]

It's fine. I am about a hundred, but that's barely grown in seraph terms. I probably won't reach the peak of my power for another few hundred years-- so I'm going to look like this for a while.

[Poor Elliot, not used to dealing with spirits at all. In some ways, Mikleo is a bit rusty with humans.]

The Coven has a decent practice area and it's not usually too crowded at this time of day. Otherwise, we can try to find something closer to the docks. I know a good spot.

Oh... wow. [Nothing in his world that he knew of lived that long. Sure there were stories, but they were just that. It was a little hard to wrap his head around. ] ...Well, you're the most handsome 100 year old I've ever met, so you look great for your age!

[It was a true sentiment, at least. This guy was beautiful. Looking at him, Elliot felt both awed and a little envious. ]

The docks by the ocean? [What other docks are there? But it seems to have piqued his interest] I wouldn't mind going there! I keep seeming to run into people from class when I go the practice area.

[And often dumping water on them. Alas.]

[Whatever Mikleo is about to say is firmly canceled when the redhead comments on his looks. He wasn't expecting it, clearly, and there's a pause where pink very noticeably dusts his cheeks and nose. He clears his throat and glances away as if that might hide it. (It doesn't.)]

Uh, th-- thanks. You're pretty cute yourself.

[MOVING RIGHT ALONG]

That's right. A couple blocks from the docks is an abandoned lot no one's using. The whole district is a little run-down, though, so if you don't like the smell of fish and oil you should probably tell me now.

[oh...he made the guy blush. He didn't know water spirits could blush (or anything else about water spirits really), but it's enough to make him laugh a little with shared embarrassment. ]

Oh, uh...thanks.

[Sounds fake, but okay. The guy is probably being polite, Elliot figures. So yes, moving on]

Sounds perfect. My friend took up fishing and kept giving me his catches, so I'm used to the smell. So I won't complain, promise.

[He really isn't just being polite but that's also kind of inappropriate when you're meeting someone in a setting that isn't a bar, so.]

Oh, good. I don't think it's all that bad, personally. You kind of get used to it.

[He stops by his table so that he can pack up his stuff and toss it over his shoulder, his staff in hand. Since he knows where they're going, he'll lead the way out.]

What did you end up doing with all that fish?

[Sorry what crap self-esteem makes him immune to all praises about his looks]

Yeah, that's how I feel about it too.

[He waits for him to pack up his things, following him out as he goes.]

Oh, just practiced cooking fish a lot. I make a pretty great fish pie, at least!

[Mikleo doesn't think he's stunning either but at least he thinks he's presentable. That's like, a step in the right direction.]

Fish... pie?

[He was going to trade cooking tips but now he's having second thoughts.]

I don't think I've ever had anything like that.

[Shut up Meebo, Sorey speaks in prose about your beauty, you gorgeous. ]

Aha, yeah. It's not too common a dish. I only really started making it after I couldn't get fish burgers just right.

But, it's good! Promise! I'd offer to make it sometime, but I don't have an oven at the barracks.

[There was a kitchen, sure, but it's the same way a college dorm has a kitchen: barely workable.]

[Listen he's smart but also kind of dumb sometimes.]

Hmm. I'll have to try it.

[He glances over at Elliot for a moment.]

You can use my stove. I cook too, so I'll help.

Really?

[That makes him smile]

Aww...I'd like that. But you've been so nice to me, I feel a little like I'm taking advantage of your generosity.

[Elliot has such a sunny smile! Mikleo wonders if he's alone here and that's why he's perpetually nervous.]

It's not taking advantage if I offered. Plus, I'll be getting a new recipe out of it and hopefully lunch.

[Well he is lonely and that sure it doesn't help, but ... well.]

Okay, if you're sure. Thanks Mikleo! I'll do my best not to disappoint.

Talking about fish makes me miss Ladylake. I know the grilled sweetfish recipe but it's hard to replicate without actual sweetfish. Whatever they have here doesn't taste the same.

[He hums in thought as they walk down the street beside the river for a while.]

So is there anything in class that's been giving you trouble?

Grilled sweetfish...that does sound delicious. Too bad you can't replicate it, I'd like to try it.

[and that answer is easy enough]

Runes. I never had to draw runes back home, so having to memorize a bunch is not easy.

There's probably a way with magic, but I admit I'm leery of conjured food. Using magic to help with the preparation is one thing, putting mana directly into your body is another.

[He's still not sure how the magic in this world even fuckin works.]

Oh, runes. I'm used to analyzing runes for spells, so I can help you with that.

Haha, I understand that. Honestly, if "mana" is the same thing as Orbal energy...I'll save you the curiosity - it tastes really bad.

[That's what happens when you try to cheat on drinks by attempting to magick it Elliot]

Thanks, I'd appreciate that. Also, I have a feeling alchemy is gonna be a thorn in my side. Outside of cooking, I've never really concocted anything like a potion.

[Mikleo looks a bit disturbed. Just a teeny bit.]

Thanks for the confirmation.

[The seraph perks up slightly.] Back home, I could imitate potions and the like if I spent enough time studying them. I'm working at the apothecary now, and learning different ways to basically do what I was doing before.

So yeah, I can help.

[Cooking will be fun Meebo ✨ ]

Oh wow...that's really impressive!

Back home, it was usually the church that made special medicines and such. Sometimes I'd gather ingredients for them as an assignment, but pretty sure you have to join the church to get the exact recipes.

It came in handy on a few occasions. But don't forget I've had a long time to practice, too-- longer than most humans, at least. There's still a lot I need to learn.

[He looks puzzled at this bit about the church basically planting themselves into this.]

But... why? Doesn't medicine belong to everyone?

That's true..then again when you put it that way, it makes me feel like I won't have a chance to get it down before I die of old age.

[He's not as serious as that might come off sounding.]

It does. I mean they give the medicine for free. And other people are allowed to try to make their own medicines, it's just usually not as effective. Why that is...I don't know. Probably something to do with blessings from the goddess. [He shrugs. It wasn't something he thought about much]

T-that's not what I meant. I'm just saying that it might seem like it comes easily to me, but I've been doing it a lot longer. [He knows Elliot is being light about it, but it just reminds Mikleo he has a ways to go when it comes to dealing with humans.]

That's something, but... something about that still worries me. Especially if there are churches that don't have the wellbeing of their flock in mind.

[Whoops, that sounded cynical. He doesn't explain himself.]

Blessings of the goddess? [There could be something to that, actually.]

Eheh, right. Don't worry, I wasn't being that serious. Even if I don't have time to learn everything, I'll still learn what I can. [in other words, he's fine.

And yeah, that sure is cynical. Elliot pauses, trying to think of how to carefully place his words.]

I suppose that's understandable. I'm not gonna pretend I understand everything the Church does ... but every parish member I've met so far has been a good person. And...well, lately, the Church feels like the only faction left that cares about the people, so...

[He's not gonna question it. The Church hasn't razed towns, or invaded anyone to grab more power. The Bracers cared, but they've all but been driven out of Erebonia. Pretty hard to get suspicious about some medicine handouts when that's going on]

Y-Yeah. Praying to the goddess Aidios can help with healing and protection. I've heard stories of people with more literal powers from Aidios, but I really couldn't tell you if they're true or not.

[You can almost see the happy Tales music note above his head.] The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one-- and it's certainly rewarding in its own way.

[Mikleo rubs at his chin with his free hand, the other still carrying his staff. He'd love to just stuff it into hammerspace somewhere, but he hasn't learned that spell yet, if there is one.]

That's... unfortunate, [he says awkwardly.] But I'm glad they're doing good work for your people. [The only one who cares? Five Lords. Here he thought Elliot was maybe from sunshine and happy unicorns land or something, but no, he had to get this constant fear of overstepping from somewhere. Mikleo-- feels for him, really. He spent so long cleaning up after the Hyland and Rolance war behind front lines, trying to ensure it didn't happen a third goddamn time and awaken something worse than a dragon. Like two dragons.

The point is, humanity is complicated and really likes to punch itself in the face.]

This goddess sounds like she could be a seraph, like me. [He glances at Elliot.] Let me explain. Seraphim have blessings of their own that they sort of... cultivate around them naturally. If one of them is given a pure vessel to dwell in, like a holy object, they can project that blessing over a large area and keep monsters at bay. That's the simplest explanation, but it would explain why some of their medicine seems blessed, or certain people have inexplicable phenomena attributed to them.

Our worlds are obviously very different, but I imagine the line between god and spirit is just as thin as in mine.

Edited 2019-06-15 05:42 (UTC)

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