whatdeheckisdat | 008

Entry tags:

008 - [Action]

[There's been... a lot going on recently. Between threats from the Malnosso and the recent violence in the village itself, it's beginning to feel a little hectic around here.

Once the sun starts going down, when it's not quite as hot out, Dhaos makes his way out to the forest (way out to the forest: he even flies to make more distance) and just starts lighting it up. He hasn't used magic properly in a long time, so he's working out any kinks that may have developed since then now, and then moving on to pointlessly impressive spells. Things like Tetra Spell and its constituent spells, Flare Tornado, and generally hideously flashy stuff he would never dream of doing anywhere near the village. He could just use the Battle Dome, but, well... it still leaves a bad taste in his mouth. He'll be out there well after night falls, but feel free to catch him on his way out of the village, or on his way back in the morning the next day.]

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[You know who wanders way the hell out into the forest besides Dhaos?

Yup.

Never mind that it's the middle of the night--there is no such thing as a schedule, sleep or otherwise, when you're Grune. And all those flashy lights look so pretty!

She hasn't noticed their source just yet; she's still just watching the display in fascination, wandering ever closer. It's like fireworks!]

[Dhaos doesn't notice her just yet; he's a little too focused on his spellwork, and it's not like he's in a battle expecting there to be people around.]

Judgment!

[Look at all the pretty lights, Grune!]

[Oooh.... Grune watches with a big smile on her face.]

Oh, my. It's so pretty!

[The spell dies; Dhaos can't hear Grune over the noise, but once there's no more mana flying around destroying everything, he can sense that he's no longer alone. He pauses and turns in Grune's direction, frowning.]

...Ray.

[Just for the light. ...Even if it's a bit of a violent source of light.]

[Grune's reaction...is to applaud. Seriously. (My, it's even bigger than Norma's! But is it a little different, too? Hmm....)

Once it's finished, she gives him a cheery smile and a wave.]

Hello, Dhaos! Your eres are very good!

[It's--

How in the seven hells--]

...Thank you, Grune, but may I ask what it is you are doing here?

[Under normal circumstances Dhaos would focus on the compliment and hide his incredulity, but... Grune.]

Well, it was such a lovely evening that I thought I'd go for a little walk.

[This totally makes sense.]

[This far out? His spells aren't visible from the village, are they...?]

I... see. Are you enjoying yourself?

Oh, yes. It's nice to see the forest at night. [As long as you don't run into many, you know, vampires.]

And I got to see you. [Smile!]

[Or, in most people's cases, demon kings flinging magic around.]

Indeed. I suppose the light drew your attention?

[He's not visible from that far away, is he?]

[She nods.]

Yes, that's right. It was very pretty.

...

[It... sort of is, but a normal person wouldn't describe something meant to destroy like that.]

It is rather eye-catching.

Do you practice like this a lot?

[She doesn't remember seeing so many bright spells before.]

No. I believe this may be my first... serious practice session since I arrived in Luceti.

[Throwing a fit after Luceti Valley doesn't count.]

Oh, if you don't remember to practice very often, then maybe we could work together sometime!

[Never mind that she never practices. It would be fun to do something with him like this!]

It is not a question of remembering, Grune.

[And Dhaos wouldn't feel... safe... practicing in Grune's presence anyway.]

Isn't it?

[By contrast, she would feel perfectly safe.]

...No. As you can see, my magic attracts attention, which is something I try to avoid.

Training eventually begins to seem dull, but I was feeling restless tonight.

[She tilts her head a little at that.]

Why were you feeling restless?

...A combination of current and impending events. Foreboding, to say the least.

[She doesn't really understand that, but she does understand he isn't happy about it. And so she comes over and takes his hand.]

Don't worry. Everything is going to be all right.

[Dhaos is too used to Grune's affection to twitch when she takes his hand, or be very cynical when she speaks anymore. He glances down at their hands, and then back up at her.]

Is there any particular reason you are so sure?

Why, because everything always works out in the end.

[She smiles up at him with complete faith in her words.]

...For you, I suppose that is true.

[No matter what happens, Grune always goes back to 'normal'.]

Oh, it's true for everyone.

[Even him.]

...In a way. But for some, it is only after much pain and hardship.

[Sometimes it isn't worth it to wait.]

Hmm.... But even if things are hard sometimes, that doesn't mean everything won't be all right. Sometimes, it just takes a little longer.

[Dhaos isn't the only one who feels restless tonight. Yuan is experiencing quite the same anxiety. It's like there's something ominous in the air. His first thought would be to attribute it to the Malnosso's threats, but that doesn't seem quite right. Whatever it is, it's made Yuan prone to wandering outside, even after sunset.

The magic spells catch Yuan's attention, even from a great distance. It's the sort of mana buildup that feels very familiar, not to mention strong. He's drawn towards it in no time at all, but he makes sure to keep his distance as he watches Dhaos train.]

[Yuan has quite a presence, but as long as he's careful about his approach Dhaos isn't going to notice him. He goes on casting, not exactly as he would in battle where discretion is required, but simply... letting loose. Because much as he hates fighting, sometimes he just needs to remind himself that no, he isn't completely powerless here.]

Tetra Spell!

[And not the weaker version he tends to use in battle, either. It's the one that consists of Ground Dasher, Tidal Wave, Cyclone and Explosion.]

[Yuan has to admit to himself that he's impressed. Even with the barrier dampening their magic, Dhaos can still produce spells of this magnitude. The man must be incredibly powerful back home and going by this, Yuan would hate to get on his bad side.

Once he's sure the spell's effects have died down, he'll come out of hiding.]

Edited 2012-06-22 00:01 (UTC)

[That mana signature is unmistakable once you've noticed it, which is much easier once the spell has finished. Dhaos came out here to avoid bothering anyone with the spectacle, but as it turns out, he's clearly attracted attention anyway.

Dhaos' hand falls from its casting position as he turns to face Yuan.]

...Yuan.

[You're a little far from home, aren't you?]

[He gives a curt nod as he continues to stride towards Dhaos. He doesn't have a particular topic of conversation in mind, but it isn't as if he has anything better to do with his time. Besides, considering Dhaos' 'origin', he likes to check up on the man every so often and make sure no troublesome information reached him.]

Dhaos.

[Dhaos casts a brief glance over the clearing where he was training before returning his gaze to Yuan.]

...I try to avoid conflict, or flaunting magic, but it has been some time.

[It's a feeble sort of explanation for why Dhaos is here being rather more attention-calling than usual, though he knows Yuan doesn't need one.]

[It was an unnecessary explanation, but Yuan can sympathize with the sentiment. It seems like the drafts are the only opportunities they get to truly let loose.]

That's understandable. One can get restless in a place like this far too easily.

Yes... And it only worsens when finally our circumstances begin to show signs of life.

[Perhaps it was the restless anticipation of the fulfillment of the Malnosso's threat that caused this. Dhaos didn't feel as though he was preparing for anything, but he needed to do something.]

[Yuan likes to think he can make a fair guess as to what Dhaos is referring to, here. Besides, even if it's not the 'sign of life', he doubts the other Seraph missed this announcement.]

Do you think the Malnosso will make good on their threat?

[Bingo. Dhaos may not comment or reply often, but when the Malnosso make an announcement, you can bet he pays attention.]

One way or another, yes. Whether or not they do so effectively is the true question.

Effectively... [He repeats the word with a bit of a bitter tone.]

I should hope not. As much as we want to deny it, the Malnosso have the upper hand as long as they rule over everything inside this barrier.

Mm... Something as simple as cutting off the enclosure's food supply would indeed cripple much of the village, to say nothing of those blasted experiments they enjoy inflicting upon us already.

[If that was them being tame, who knows what they would pull out to punish the villagers, if they were so inclined...]

...But there are those who wonder if perhaps the Malnosso are wary of going too far.

Oh, is that so? Because they need us to fight their little wars for them?

In part, no doubt-- if what little information we have is correct, soldiers are a valuable commodity.

[He can almost say that bitterly, but despite having despised war, a ruler like Dhaos understands.]

But some seem to be of the opinion that the Malnosso refrain from rebuking our accusations for fear of provoking us into acting... rashly.

[As if they could actually do anything as they are now. But it's worth bringing up, at least.]

That's wishful thinking. The Malnosso have already proven that they're capable of altering memories, random as the results may be from time to time. If they feel we're becoming a threat, surely they can just erase a few memories in their favor.

That is true, but the fact that we are not yet aware of their exact limits gives some hope-- hope that perhaps their limits are lower than they would like us to believe.

[Dhaos knows better than to hope by now, though-- between mana cannons and advisers dropping dead and teenage girls losing various limbs, hope has never lead him to a happy ending.]

Of course, it begs the question of whether or not we think too highly of ourselves in this world as well.

Hmm... Ultimately, we should find out whether the Malnosso's bark is worse than their bite. Once we know where their limits lie, we can attempt to match and then surpass them.

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008 - [Action]

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[Action] errr I guess this is pre-Mithos plot

[Action] Time is magical in Luceti.

[Action] Who even needs continuity when it's Dhaos?

[Action] Dhaos sure does, but Yuan is home free!

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[Action] kfjslkj this tag is filled with irony

[Action] My favorite XD Somewhere there are seraphim clawing at their faces

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