Text/Video

[ixis]

someone plese explain how these buttons are[practicl for siomeone with uust one hand//?

[It’s a few moments after the text is received that a video entry pops up instead. Naugus’ scowling face takes up most of the screen, as he appears to be leaning close and examining it. He seems to not be aware the video feed is already live and functional. A fingertip taps at the glass before he finally sits back to a more reasonable distance. He's an odd-looking figure, with his bat ears, plentiful sharp teeth, horned forehead and long beard. The wizard clears his throat, still scowling.]

I suppose this will have to suffice for now. But really, whoever is behind these planks with lettered buttons on them CLEARLY did not account for something like this.

[Naugus lifts his left hand to reveal that it's instead a crab-like claw. He snaps it twice for illustrative emphasis before lowering it again.]

Ehhn. That aside, I am quite interested in learning what other, aheh, 'heroes' have been summoned to this realm. Feel free to make yourself known and I will deign to do the same.

Comments

Re: video;

[ixis]

This war has summoned DRAGONS? Incredible! I will have to investigate this claim!

And what of you? What sorcery do you possess?

video;

[demon_brat]

You are free to do that at your own... discretion. [ At your own risk, but who is Damian to interfere? ]

[ But then he pulls himself up to his full height (well, sitting height), and he sounds proud of himself. ]

I have no sorcery.

Re: video;

[ixis]

Impressive. What good ARE you, then? I was given the notion we were all summoned to partake in a war, but I'm finding more and more people who seem...hhhhh, unsuitable for the cause.

video;

[demon_brat]

Some people are unsuitable. The late Emperor did admit that her aim wasn't always precise, when bringing people.

Others have been trained to war in ways most people cannot correctly conceive. Against what you may call sorcery, included. You may never know.

[ Even though Damian is almost growling, no, he's not going to rise to that challenge. He's admitted to training - as the son of a rich and powerful man - some of his skills and abilities... are not for public consumption. Nope. ]

[ ... they still don't involve magic. ]

Re: video;

[ixis]

[Naugus rolls his eyes, elbow propped on the dash of his terminal so he can rest his cheek against a balled fist.]

Thankfully, I'm confident enough in my own abilities to see this war through.

video;

[demon_brat]

Of course, it was those who had such confidence and were conspicuous that became the Threat's agents, last time.

[ Damian's not very good at nonchalance - especially when he's bristling - but that doesn't quite make him wrong. To the best of his knowledge. ]

video;

[ixis]

I've only just arrived and already you accuse me of treachery?

I'm wounded.

video;

[demon_brat]

I did no such thing. Only pointed out that you are making yourself more of a target than you need to.

[ Damian... just might have a reasonably formed opinion about whether actions under possession are treachery. For the record. ]

Re: video;

[ixis]

A target to whom? The enemy? I should hope so! He should be afraid now that someone like me is here.

video;

[demon_brat]

That will be extremely helpful when the turtle's health deteriorates again and you are deprived of your powers.

video;

[ixis]

...I beg your pardon.

video;

[demon_brat]

>Tt.<

Anything above baseline human, anything above keeping somebody alive - technology, magic, mutation? Anything like that gets lost when Asti's health is insufficient to maintain it. The way they deteriorate when people move away from him on the mainlands we have made landfalls to.

video; what does the >Tt.< mean?

[ixis]

Does it deteriorate often? Is this a common mishap?!

video; It's just a thing Damian makes, meaning... STUFF, depending on situation.

[demon_brat]

ooc: Sort of like 'tsk,' except he sometimes uses it in non-dismissive ways. Sort of like a variant of 'whatever' except - Damian.

It happened once, and lasted for weeks, until a team found their way to the Death plane and managed to disrupt the spell weakening the turtle. While it is known how to deal with it, the probability that will occur again, should a final battle come, is very high.

[ It's all truth, too - not a threat, but a warning. Damian is rather - dismissive, of people who only rely on one strength, one tool, and magic is just that. But he can appreciate the determination to fight Malicant, if it is sincere, so he will at least try to make sure Ixis isn't caught completely unprepared. And, yes, going deep into the mainland has that effect, too. ]

[ Of course, this comes from a rather unpleasant twelve-year-old. Up to Ixis to heed the warning or not. ]

video; Oh! Okay! JUST CURIOUS.

[ixis]

[Naugus is aware kids can be dumb, but this kid doesn't sound dumb. And he just defaults to treating children as little adults anyhow. He takes all of this in in earnest! Once all is explained, the mage scowls to himself and strokes his beard in thought.]

...Good to know. I will have to investigate my own measures were this to occur again. You say even those who rely on technology were affected? Even my own magical artifact would be rendered null?

[He taps the purple gem on the end of his staff, which is propped against his console desk, close at hand.]

I find the notion disturbing, should that be the case.

video; He's a 12-y-o and whimsical.

[demon_brat]

[ Damian is only dumb when it comes to people, really. ]

Everyone who has any sort of ability does, from what I have seen. But, yes, that would mean magical artifacts, too. [ He knows. Kyle's Green Lantern ring wasn't working, either. ]

All that Asti can maintain then is life, and - not always all of it. Food became scarce, animals started dying off, and so forth.

[ Of all things, the boy sounds more reasonable - informative - than moments ago. ]

video; and Naug is a 100+ year old ???. Together, we fight crime.

[ixis]

I find this profoundly confusing and distressing! Few things can drain the power from a chaos emerald, let alone render it useless altogether! Is it simply witchcraft on part of the enemy? What sort of land has magic and powers only working on one mobile continent and then nowhere else?

video; Sob. Such a terrible idea.

[demon_brat]

[ Sigh. ]

He is not merely a mobile continent! He is a sentient - strongly telepathic - and magical creature. Everything that does work here is powered by him. So, when he is sick, or dying, that power fades. It does not matter if it is a power inherent to its user, acquired, or following different roles where they come from.

If such a crystal ... I suppose the best parallel would be to assume that the crystal arrived here completely drained. Its potential 'charged' during the twelve or so hour of recovery after waking up at the Palace - but, when the energy that powered it here fades, so does what the artifact's 'charge.'

This is as close to an explanation that makes sense as I have been able to come up or find offered by anyone.

video; get in the car, nerd, we're going crime-bustin'. B]

[ixis]

[Naugus holds up both hands palm out (well, at least for the one hand that has a palm) in a 'calm down' gesture.]

All right, all right, I've only recently learned that the turtle is sentient! Offense was not meant.

Though this all the more demonstrates how vital the beast's survival and well-being is. I hadn't realized that even our very talents and tools rely on Asti. Consider me humbled.

[He doesn't sound or look humbled. He doesn't know the meaning of the word 'humbled'. Should have just said 'point taken' or something.]

video; no u. Damian makes and maintains flying cars.

[demon_brat]

[ Damian pauses, his mouth pursing to show just how much he believes that last word, but he nods. ]

Sometimes, he visit people in dreams. It is not yet known if the young turtles can communicate with him more directly, or not yet.

But, yes. Some talents depend on Asti. Skill, fighting ability, knowledge, the ability to make correct decisions - those would not be taken away, obviously.

video; OKAY, YOU DRIVE.

[ixis]

I can't say how much I loathe the idea of anyone being in my dreams, placid turtlefriend or not. I hope speaking this will somehow seep into Keeliai's collective unconscious and thus trickle down and inform Asti of this preference.

video; WINNA!!!

[demon_brat]

... you do realize that you probably would be understanding a very small portion of people here, if there wasn't already a presence in your mind providing translation? Waking, dreaming - he is with us all.

It is how he is. We become a part of his awareness, by being here.

video; hangin' out the passenger side, tryna holla

[ixis]

...Facilitating translation, fine. But my thoughts and dreams are mine.

How can this notion not distress you, boy!?

video; *drives maaaadly!!!*

[demon_brat]

[ To Damian, the presence in his waking thoughts was less acceptable. But... talking with Asti in his dreams has made him less immediately furious, at least. ]

Distress is a weakness. I am angered, but there are far more important things to do than maintain anger against a situation that can not be changed.

[ He's been here for a year and a half, and more. And he's decided helping is more important than having things his way, even if it's not necessarily helping the authority that brought them. So... yeah. He's learned to just man up and accept his circumstances. ]

[ ... besides, he liked Asti, in his dream. ]

video; and they were never seen again.

[ixis]

Distress is an indicator that something is wrong.

Hhhhhhhhh...

[He hisses to himself in frustration, rubbing his eyes and forehead with his good hand. Once he lowers it again, Naugus at least looks a little bit less frustrated.]

But you're right. It is what it is. There is little that could be done about this, I'd imagine. At least nothing with dire consequences that do not outweigh the desired outcome. I will dwell on it and see how my feelings do or don't change over time.

I'd imagine Asti is a 'you don't call him, he calls you' type, isn't he?