fiddlestick | aefenglom IC Inbox

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.]

[Man, Mikleo is really taking this to heart. Elliot hadn't thought much about the weight of what he was doing. He was always a kind hearted one, always thinking about how to help others. His time Class VII had just hone those thoughts into becoming actual actions. Helping Mikleo seemed like the natural thing to do.]

Well...I do have it easier, since I can see you. I'm sure I'd take more convincing if you were still invisible.

[And then Mikleo takes his hand into his, catching him by surprise. Mikleo's hand is cool to the touch, but not in an unpleasant way at all. Even though he was used to grabbing his friends hands, he still feels himself blushing at this happening now. Even more so as Mikleo keeps talking. The words...they reminded him the speeches Prince Olivert would give to the class, but on an even more personal level since it's just the two of them here. It made it all the more harder to pretend Olivert hadn't been talking mostly to Rean and the others about his hope for them. ]

I-I...

[He realizes just how long he's been staring into those lavender eyes, and turns a little redder. he forces himself to look away, reminding himself to breath and feeling incredibly nervous. He does not handle such level of praise and belief well, oh no. Especially not from someone so pretty.

He tries to think of something to say, but it just comes out as an "um" followed by that turning into humming, like a true nervous tic of a musician]

[The moment passes, and Mikleo realizes Elliot hasn't said anything. If he's in Elliot's space again it's for a good reason, so that he can press the back of his palm to the ginger's forehead and try to discern his temperature.]

... Are you feeling all right? Should we sit down for a minute?

[Oh my goddess he's touching him again. He makes a yelp sound of surprise and freezes as Mikleo keeps his hand on him. Elliot is burning up, but not from any fever so much as his face going beet red from the closeness. ]

I-I'm- I'm fine!

You...you just...r-reminded me of someone I really admire there. A-And...you're really... [Come on just say it. Say the thing is he is] reallypretty.

[NOT THAT THING. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SAY KIND.]

[Mikleo notices that flinch and pulls his hand back. He's even more concerned than before, even with Elliot trying so fervently to deny it.]

I'm—?

[Did-- did he hear that right? Nah, there's no way. But he can't think of anything else that those vowels and consonants could have constructed, and the blush creeps up on him just as neon.

His own tsundereness is rising up in spite of that, and before he can really get a handle on how flustered he is, he blurts out something like:]

Y-you should get your eyes checked when we're done out here. [He is so fucking red, Five Lords.] We're-- we're close to the place, so let's just go.

[He shuffles off at a faster pace, his free hand over his mouth as if that might hide the blush. If Edna could see him now.]

[Annnnd just like that, he got a full tsundere direct attack. He knew those words had been a mistake the moment they came out of his mouth, but man to see it play out and have it be about him and not at Rean was-

He sighs and his shoulders slumped. He murmurs to himself]

Welp, way to go. Me and my big mouth...

[He'll follow after Mikleo, making sure to keep a good distance from the the tsunning spirit. Practice was gonna be awkward.]

[You'd think it'd be awkward, but Mikleo's glad to move on. He leads Elliot down a turn and down a dirty alley just as a strong breeze full of fish wafts down. Mikleo's nose wrinkles, but he doesn't complain. And then they're here: a tall, worn out warehouse that looks to have been destroyed by a fire, and the massive empty lot around it with various bits of debris corroded by time. Some of the bigger pieces of scrap metal look fresh, but on closer inspection they appear to have been painted as a target and used to some effect if the gouges are anything to go by.

Mikleo turns and holds out his arms.]

Well, here we are. This is a pretty good place to blow off steam if you want to. And if you're going around without a Bond for a little while, you'll need to.

Have you been practicing water spells at all?

[Elliot follows, observing his surroundings. It reminds him a little of the harbor in Heimdallr, just saltier smelling from the ocean. The empty lot he's brought to looks very much like a place forgotten and abandoned...no one would notice any accidental damage, it was perfect.

He can't help but blink when Mikleo seems to be back to normal. Jeez...he wouldn't say he's just like Alisa...but there sure are some similarities.

Oh well, no need to look a gifted horse in the mouth]

Y-Yeah...good point. I'm still working on finding someone willing to bond.

[People were so skittish about it. And on top of that, he knew way more witches than monsters. Not helpful if he wanted to avoid exploding.]

I have! Every day. It's the easiest element for me.

[He frowns a little at that. Elliot just got here, so it's not really surprising that he hasn't bonded yet. That makes cycling his magic all the more important.]

I'd volunteer if I thought it might help you, but I'm a Witch too. It's not-- forbidden, but since you're still new to all of this, I don't think it would be a good idea. You'd be leaning on me to keep both of us stable. I'm sure you'll find someone eventually, you just need to be open about it-- if you get along with a Monster, then ask them.

[He folds his arms.]

Why don't we start with that, then? I want to see what you've learned.

Y-Yeah, I know. Bonding with a witch would just make the problem worse. I just...need to suck it up and ask a monster. There's at least one I think would be good...

[but oh, right. Magic. He gives a nervous little nod.]

Okay, here goes.

[Elliot concentrates on drawing out that water energy, humming as he does so. He's done this every day, so it's pretty easy now for him to summon that bucket's worth of water. It hangs in the air in front of him, turning around until it forms into an orb shape. It's still slightly lopsided, but it's still pretty dang good for a relative newbie at this school of magic.]

Edited 2019-06-17 06:02 (UTC)

Good, good. Just-- you know, it doesn't have to be romantic, if that's holding you back. You're asking for a lifeline and offering yours.

[Mikleo watches Elliot work. He pays special attention to the movements he uses as well as the humming. That's interesting, but he's not surprised; one of his early classes had mentioned that sometimes people could adapt the same phrases they used to cast spells on their worlds and have it call to magic the same way. Humming a little melody is just as effective as any verbal incantation or hand motion.]

I'm impressed. You've been here... a couple weeks? That's about what I could conjure, too.

-- O-Oh, no. I know that. It's more... [he sighs] I don't really know anyone that well. If my friends were here, I'd ask them for a bond without a second thought. But...they're not.

[And overcoming that chasm of loneliness is harder than he initially thought it'd be. He thought it'd be similar to how he stopped seeing them every day when he went to the music academy. But even then...they were always a phone call away. Rean and Machias were a train ride away. And Fie would pop in whenever she'd have business in the capital.

But here...there was nothing. No phone messages from Millium, no letters from Jusis or Gaius or Emma, no routine check-ins from Alisa or Laura. The silence was surprisingly deafening. And finding a new sound to overcoming it felt so....difficult.

But enough about that. He shakes himself out of those thoughts, smiling a little weakly]

Aha..thanks. I've been working hard to get it right, though to be fair, water's always been my best element. I'm still trying to get a handle on the others.

[Mikleo frowns as Elliot goes on. He might not outright say that he's lonely but Mikleo has seen that sadness and isolation in other people. In... himself. He's quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say.

In the end he decides to channel Sorey a little and speak from the heart.]

I know what that's like. All you can do is keep reaching out-- keep working toward finding a way back to them.

You've come this far on your own two feet, haven't you?

[As for the magic...]

There's value in training up your weaknesses. I'll show you runes later since that's more of a passive magical reaction and I brought you out here to cycle your magic.

How about healing spells?

[..........]

...R-Right. Forward, relentlessly.

[He repeats the old mantra to himself as if to encourage himself. He had to keep trying it he wanted to make it home to his loved ones.

However, it doesn't do anything to ease the sadness and isolation. It was a good try Mikleo, but not entirely effective

As for the magic, yeah. He's got it. He's all for training his weaknesses, so he just nods along. ]

I've got a minor healing spell down, but it's not like there's any injuries for me to treat now.

Exactly.

[That wasn't as effective as he was hoping but that just means he'll need to be persistent.]

There's something they didn't mention in class. I'll show you.

[He conjures a small jagged piece of ice and slices his right palm with it, only barely wincing. It's deep enough to start pooling in his hand.]

Try healing this.

[With that amount of blood, the spell will be enhanced somewhat. Blood is a very important reagent for potions as well as spells.]

[!!!!!!!

Well that sure causes him a shock! He jolts back in horror because DUDE. DUDE]

What're you doing?! Are you crazy?!

[He will heal it though, giving a hum to throw a spell at it. Mostly so Mikleo STOPS THE BLEEDING. The cut will knit itself up with a cooling sensation.

Which no. He doesn't notice the difference in power because you didn't explain it and he's too busy going into Healer Mode to care about theoretics. ]

There! Now don't do that again!

[Mikleo is just... calm? He had it handled? But of course his first reaction is to snap right back.]

I know exactly what I was doing-- I'm a healer too. How am I supposed to show you blood magic without blood?

[He sighs and looks over his hand.]

Well, it looks like you healed it just fine. You don't feel dizzy or anything?

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