fiddlestick | aefenglom IC Inbox

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)

Haha, yeah. It's too bad my friend Machias isn't here. You'd like him, I could hear him saying exactly the same thing.

[Sure Elliot liked learning well enough and was willing to do it if it helped him achieve his goals, but for Machias it was on a whole other level.]

Yeah...we can't rely on them to fix everything, but we'd be much worse off without them. [The medicine, the church that helped hide Angelica, giving him a venue for his concerts ... he wasn't extremely religious, but he felt gratitude towards them.

But huh, that's an interesting enough theory. He listens and considers it. Fortunately, him not being extremely devout allows him to hear it out before accusing of heresy.]

That's...an interesting theory. P-Probably not one I'd share readily with people from Zemuria, but... [He thinks about it] I can't...completely rule it out either. Though road lamps keep monsters at bay, not the goddess.

[except....]

Unless you're talking about a Cryptid.

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

Sounds like we have that in common.

[Mikleo is definitely a bit of a nerd. There's no hiding it.

He takes Elliot's words seriously, though, seeing as he's... never been on the other side of the religious thing. Seraphim aren't gods, they're just people living in the world just like humans do, but they have powers humans don't and that means they depend on each other.]

I don't know what those are, but the monsters on my world-- hellions-- are living things that have been corrupted by dark energy. If the Shepherd purifies them they go back to how they were before, whether that's a plant or a cat or the blacksmith down the road.

... I see your point, though. Not everyone is so comfortable with the idea of spirits, particularly if it's a topic of worship. [He makes a thoughtful noise.] We seraphim appreciate the reverence, as it helps sustain us. I'll try to be more considerate in the future.

Edited 2019-06-15 09:02 (UTC)

Hellions huh... [he thinks about it] That sounds like Cwyld and Shades here, but a Cryptid's different. They're mon- [correcting himself] creatures from another realm that show up when the world is out of balance. They're really big and really dangerous, much more than a regular monster - which are just kinda dangerous wild animals in my world. Not people like here.

[Having to clarify that all the time sure is a headache. But speaking of clarifications]

Oh, it's not the idea of spirits that's uncomfortable! There's many places that even worships spirits along with Aidios. It's just making Aidios sound like she's just a spirit is ... [He makes a face, trying to think how to put it]

...W-Well, it's like calling a hamburger "just a sandwich". You could make a case for it, sure, but you're gonna rub some people the wrong way. Does that make sense?

[Wait what about appreciate the reverence]

W-Wait, are you saying you need people to worship you to sustain you?

Edited 2019-06-15 13:35 (UTC)

That's right. I noticed the similarities almost immediately, especially because of how the corruption feels, but I think the origins must be different. [He listens patiently as Elliot talks about what a Cryptid is. They do sound nasty, like those beasts that roam the world after having absorbed the energies of other hellions...] 'When the world is out of balance'?

Yes. It's not intended to be disrespectful, but if someone has spent their whole life with a certain idea in their head... I get it.

[He looks thoughtful, and he takes Elliot's question in stride.]

Something like that. The corruption I talked about-- that can spread to seraphim, and it's a deadly poison if it stays in for long. Prayers and offerings from humans give seraphim strength to endure the malevolence. They need each other.

Edited 2019-06-15 21:27 (UTC)

I see... [Two different types of corruption. That sure is worrying] Yeah, with wars and stuff. The people who told me about that were a little vague, but...they are about a lot of things.

[Witches man. Witches.]

Yeah, exactly. I'm not mad, I know you didn't mean by it. Just better to be careful with some Zemurians.

[If any others ever come, anyway. Luckily, Mikleo's explanation keeps him going down those recurring thoughts]

Oh...that's bad.

[...] Do you want me to....pray to you?

[he sounds so. so unsure.]

Edited 2019-06-15 22:28 (UTC)

War has that sort of effect on the world. [He says it with a detectable air of weariness.]

I appreciate the warning, though.

[He's not exactly expecting Elliot to offer, and he blinks over at him with big lavender eyes chased by a slight blush. Damn it, stop that.]

That's-- no, you don't have to do that. I'm human here, just like you. [A pause.] At least, as far as I can tell. I'm slightly more sensitive to the Cwyld than other people, but I haven't noticed anything else.

[He glances back to the road.] It's kind of you to offer, though.

Edited 2019-06-15 23:04 (UTC)

Yeah... [Preach it bruh. Wars are the worst.

And boy..there's no denying Elliot clearly looks relieved by that. It's not that he thinks Aidios would smite him but...it'd be weird, praying to a classmate.]

Oh...good. I mean, not that you're stuck as human. But it'd take awhile to get used to praying to a friend. Though I would do it, if it meant you'd be okay...

[But...more sensitive to the Cwyld, huh. That's a little troubling. He bites his lip a little.

Hmmm...yeah. It's worth it. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his ARCUS. He opens it up and pops out a small blue quartz. Any magic it once had has been drained by this world, but it's still be beautiful gemstone.

He offers it to Mikleo]

...Just in case, an offering. The magic's gone, but it's a water quartz. Back home, it's used to cast water spells.

Edited 2019-06-15 23:31 (UTC)

[A friend? Mikleo would normally say that's a strong word, but he's walked with Elliot for a little while today and hasn't had the urge to shove him into the river. Maybe that's not wrong after all.]

You really are kind. [He smiles a little. Such forthright, honest people always manage to surprise Mikleo even though he grew up with one.] You barely know me, but you'd still do that to help. If only the people of my world were so eager to believe...

[He watches Elliot pull out something resembling the pocketwatch but a little bigger. He's expecting a mirror in it, but the gemstones are... new. They're pretty, though, and Mikleo is curious-- right up until Elliot holds it out. Mikleo blinks and opens his palm beneath it to take it.

A gemstone that aids with water spells. He takes it in with wide lavender eyes, sees how the sunlight glistens over the thing in his palm. He's surprised again, and touched, and he isn't quite sure how to respond. But he's not the kind to panic in an unfamiliar situation most of the time, so after a moment, he closes his fingers around it and holds it to his chest. His eyes close. If he's like this, he can't feel the magic that used to flow through it, but he can remember what it was like when he got his first offering after the adventure. How his heart soared, and he felt that much closer to seeing Sorey again. Alisha worked so hard to improve things in Ladylake after that, even if it meant sometimes making offerings herself. She wasn't a terrible cook, when she put her mind to it.

He takes Elliot's hand in his. Mikleo's touch is cool, not cold. He uses water and healing magic on the regular so there's a hint of life to it, cool and rejuvenating like a tiny waterfall after the spring melt.]

Thank you, [he murmurs. He speaks quietly but clearly, sounding kind of-- formal, but not stiff. It's his Seraph Voice.] Your offering has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. I don't have a blessing to give you in return, but I can tell you something I've learned.

My kind have lived alongside humans since before history, watching over and guiding them. Wars and famines, and peace treaties and the founding of cities-- we've seen it all. Yet no matter how dark things become, no matter how numerous the ugly sides of humanity... As long as there are people like you with an open mind and a gentle spirit, I know you'll carry that hope forward and light the way.

[Mikleo really smiles now, his eyes soft and crinkling at the edges. Maybe it's not Elliot he's seeing at all, but all those humans who helped him get to where he is now.]

Don't underestimate what your little light can do. [And he lets Elliot go, the quartz tucked safely into a hidden pocket.]

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