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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 18, 2024 12:49:02 GMT -5
"We should document as much as we can before disturbing anything, but yes, we can collect samples and anything left behind. I hope your companion is alright, and it is unfortunate such extreme was necessary. Are you holding up alright?"
Taki knew this situation could be difficult, especially when you were just starting the adventuring life. She gave the young elf a moment to respond, pulling out her notebook and flipping to an empty page. She started first by writing out the details she could recall of the encounter, of her own actions, Marion's, and the creature's.
While her hands turned her thoughts into words, she was reflecting on the encounter and how she had performed. In a way it felt like things happened in the span of a breath, like a diver plunging deep for the biggest oysters. Each motion was fluid, precise, and graceful, while her own mobility and flexibility were somewhat surprising. The talisman had well and truly caught her off guard at the end, it's brilliant blaze of petals beautiful and terrifying at once. This was only the third time she'd seen a Fire Flower activated, but each was as unique as the Shadow who used it. Overall, Taki felt like the intense training she endured to get here was well worth the effort.
"You did very well today, Marion. Kweh as well, your support was invaluable and well timed."
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 18, 2024 13:13:28 GMT -5
He nodded, observing how the other kept track of everything via written records- that is certainly new, documenting combat like this- and now that the danger is eliminated, the young elf felt more at ease to voice his thoughts.
"I'm... alright. I mean, I understand the situation when I offered to participate in this commission." He sighed, pushing his fringes behind an ear.
"I do wonder if something could have been done- sooner, I mean, before it had gotten to this point. Could communication with the fae be possible- to ask them why they are acting like this? To have codes and guidance of conduct present for fae when they enter our realm? Tried to communicate to them, if they did not respond well to people- through friendlier fair folk we knew? I... I don't really know."
While Marion not meaning this to be critique of what the local population had done, it could certainly come off as such, and be somewhat insensitive- But Marion clearly had not thought about things as such when he spoke.
"Do you always record battles like this- do you write down everything you can remember detailly, or just a conclusive overview of how it went?"
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 18, 2024 17:29:22 GMT -5
"When encountering things that are rare, unknown or otherwise unusual, I try to include any and all detail. Also, situations where you may not have a lot in the way of proof or evidence, accurate notes supported by those involved may have valuable clues that seem unimportant in the moment. These are my own opinions though, my own way of helping others in the future with my own experiences. Likely, an overview would be sufficient information along with whatever we collect, so it is at your own discretion if you choose to do more. Personally, I enjoy having a way to reflect on things and adjust my own perspectives and habits."
She continued to take notes while talking to Marion, then making quick sketches of the creature's various forms as she remembered them. She also sketched what she could recall of the Fire Flower, and it's seared pattern. Taking her Tool Kit from her pack, she opened up the leather pouch which folded out into several organized segments. There were all manner of basic tools, vials and other implements helpful for the adventuring life.
"Feel free to make use of anything from the kit you might need, I only ask that you return it when you're done."
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 18, 2024 18:39:35 GMT -5
Marion seemed to be intrigued by... pretty much everything, watching her sketch- he could draw, but never at this speed with such accuracy in taking a form- and accepted the offered tool kid rather excitedly, if not quite shocked- and he handled it with the carefulness of one would hold something alive in their hands and is not trying to kill it.
The first thing he was looking for was what she had in this kit. Various things in it Marion had already had- or picked up later, during his travelling, but some he had never really thought about before- he did realize the need for a small pocketknife for the sake of cutting things other than other people- but he never thought about a small file as well, and how it would definitely come in handy. After taking note of things that he was missing, and thinking about what himself would need- the elf borrowed some vials from the kit as well as the tools necessary to collect the sand and shards, and went around to work.
He did end up with three half-vials of slightly different material than regular sand- it was much finer and somehow even more glittery than sand, fluffy to the touch. It was curious, and Marion wondered what could be done with it- he didn't seem to have an issue of touching and making use of remains of things already dead, and have the sense to not try to test anything like this by tasting it.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 19, 2024 21:24:37 GMT -5
Taki walked over to the spot where she'd landed the first set of strikes on the creature, in it's draconic form. With vials and tools of her own, she collected samples from the area. Once she was done, she walked back to where she'd set the Tool Kit up. Taking a seat, the dancer pulled out her bamboo water container out and poured it's contents over her head and face. Now emptied, she hooked the dished container against the broach holding her cloak. A moment later, the trickle of running water filling the container could be heard.
Placing the stopper back, she tucked the freshly filled container back into her gear, watching as Marion finished collecting his own samples. She felt in some ways like she was looking at a mirror of herself only a year or so ago. While she could tell their magics came from very different sources, it still felt strange to be so close to something so familiar. It seemed like only a few days ago that her own magic and spiritual connection had grown beyond anything she could have imagined.
She couldn't help the sadness, the hurt, but most of all, the thought of her own mistakes causing immeasurable and irreparable damage to the world was crushing. Her home had been ransacked, her companions scattered... or lost... The spirits shunned the former shaman. It was strange, feeling so empty, yet with such a powerful weight upon their spirit. Her expression was haunting, like someone watching a catastrophe in slow motion as she huddled on the scorching sands.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 19, 2024 21:44:55 GMT -5
He had never really known anything about the fae. As he worked, Marion thought about what it had looked like in its original form- and he would be lying to say he is not eager to understand how they work. Do they have bones- can they be considered to be mammals at all? Or maybe they are closer to insects, or pure elemental constructs with only a skin fashioned by themselves to puppet? He do hope there will be more chances to study them in a less violent situation.
Marion, after he was done, trotted up to the other, with making an offerto split what he had collected in mind- but her expression made him look back towards the direction she had been staring at, back at her, and once more over the sands to make sure.
“Sorry, if it’s alright to ask… is anything going on over there? I couldn’t see anything, but I can have Kweh go and check if it helps.”
He said in a whisper, a bit anxious about a possible unforeseen danger arising. Of course it is not the case, but just that he had misread the expression completely- which is somewhat untimely and unfortunate in whole. The young elf is simply not really socially intelligent, even if he had always expressed himself genuinely.
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 20, 2024 2:01:54 GMT -5
It takes a moment for Taki to even notice Marion standing there, but his gentle voice snaps her out of the train of thought.
"My apologies, I was reminded of something recent and got caught up. If you're done, we can pack up and head back."
Shifting her thoughts away was a herculean task, but a few deep breaths went a long way. There would be a slow journey back home... or at least, slow to her. Taki looked up at the sky, then picked herself up and brushed away the sand.
"Would you like to share any notes, or samples?"
Every adventurer answered this question uniquely, at least so far as she'd experienced thus far. Often it spoke to their goals, but could also hint at parts of their personality as well. Taki was relearning how to interpret people and how they responded, having subconsciously relied on her spiritual attunement for most of her life. Days like this made her grateful for all the help she'd given others, because without their help the Orochi would likely have not left her home or it's immediate area.
Now that she'd chosen a path forward, it was time to take those first steps, stumble, practice and start all over again... Only this time, there was a lifetime of experience to compliment a few incredibly talented trainers. In losing her connection to magic, she had found her muse, and a reason to continue forward. Besides, there was the whole being adopted by the Blackfeathers... Making them sad was unacceptable.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 20, 2024 2:23:02 GMT -5
"Oh, of course!" Marion presented her with the glittery ash, and insisted she take one, and the second out of three as a trade for what she had- the elf seemed quite interested in this type of topic, and asked about if the other knew about what these components could be used for- and what processes would she want to use to examine them.
He proceeded to explain that himself was not quite an alchemist at of now, the precision and logic being something that does not come to him naturally, but then mused about how he had set off to learn about new things anyway, and it is good to branch out into different fields like this. Marion seemed quite eager to share, and have a tendency to let his mouth run with his runaway thoughts- perhaps now one could understand why he had been trying to keep his thoughts to himself before the threat had been resolved.
"Oh, and- if it's not too insensitive for me to ask, what was on your mind?" After some thought, he finally decided to ask.
"It's alright if you wouldn't want to share, but- if you do, I'm here to listen." Marion offered her a smile. "Sometimes it is easier to get it off your chest, I have come to understand."
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 20, 2024 10:06:51 GMT -5
Taki participates in the exchange as she listens to Marion sharing their thoughts. She adds her own knowledge where it applied, but her own understanding of alchemical processes was limited. She was content to let him talk, keeping herself distracted with packing up and making ready for the return. Life had slowed immensely, between closing the animal sanctum and the changes that made it necessary.
Finishing with the Tool Kit, she tucked it back into her pack as Marion asked about what was running through her mind. She took a deep breath and considered how to answer his question. On one hand, without the spirits' guidance it was difficult to discern if they were genuine or not. On the other, he had not shown any reason to think there was an ulterior motive. Taki knew he was right about having discussions and letting the emotions go, but that didn't make the words any easier. She took several deep breaths, collecting her composure and thoughts.
"I was thinking about recent events in my life, and the consequences of them. Your magic... it reminded me of before, of a life lived with the blessings of spirits great and small. Those days are behind me now, and it has not been easy picking up the broken pieces left in the aftermath. Forgive me if I caused you undo stress. We should head back, report in, and get out of this blistering heat."
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 20, 2024 10:27:19 GMT -5
"Oh, of course- right, I think I have something that can help with the heat while we head back!"
Agreeing, Marion followed and dug around his satchel to produce a pinwheel- it's pastel colours as whimsical as summer could be, and the young elf blew into it, laughing abit as a powerful gust of wind gets pushed through the seemingly frail toy- his golden hair flying forwards as air raced past the two of them from the back to make up for the air pressure the pinwheel had displaced.
"I'm alright, really- and I can't really say I know what you feel, because I haven't experienced anything of that scope yet- but perhaps you are also blessed by the world today."
Looking beside him, Marion offered her his pinwheel with a small smile, pushing his wayward hair back behind his ears- and it was as she had said. He had not yet known tragedy, and the world had been gentle, and the golden child of plentiful grain sees the world though his rosy tainted looking-glass he probably didn't even realize was there in the first place.
Whether it is a blessing or a curse, one could not truly tell. But now he is happy, and he only wish to share this happiness with you.
"Would you blow into it? It's pretty fun!"
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Post by Shitakibo on Jun 20, 2024 11:22:23 GMT -5
She smiled, reminded of the youthful innocence of Rena's little ones. His reversal of her concern made her chuckle softly, though it made sense. Outwardly, she didn't look extraordinarily prepared for the desert climate. Her cloak, and it's intricately carved broach had been infused with layers of magic for enduring harsh and unforgiving climates. It was vital, especially when she would expedition into the wild and remote regions of Charon to research magical creatures.
The sudden, cooling gust from the small Pinwheel was quite the surprise. She shivered slightly, already quite a bit cooler than the surrounding desert thanks to her gear. Blessed might not have been the word she would have used, but the idea Marion spoke of was no less valid. No matter how her life changed, it was her own and she was still able to wake up to make her own choices.
"Perhaps you're right, ultimately I was the one responsible for where I stand today. I'm still able to make my own choices, move my own body, encounter my own flaws... dance to my own beats."
As the young elf held out the pinwheel, she took a deep breath. She let it out in a slow, hissing stream through the blades of the brightly colored toy. She had accomplished something helpful today, and that was more than enough to make her smile genuinely for the first time in months.
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