tushanshu | [Video]

OOC:

Grey - Yorda
Blue - China

[The feed comes on and there is Yorda and China Sorrows. The former looks a bit apprehensive and the latter about as pleasantly inscrutable as ever.]

Hello. There is something important that we have to tell you.

We have seen what the cultists have done to the other kedan. They are able to make stones that contain their lives, and pushed them beyond Death and Dreaming. All doors open both ways and they have crossed into the places we came from.

This is something they have hoped to do, something ordered of them. We have seen this.

[She looks to China, hoping that this is correct. China inclines her head briefly, indulgent, and takes over.]

Suffice to say that while something seems to have gone awry with their experiments, the goal appears to have been moving kedan across planes. While it hasn't been done again, our information implies that those who have gone have not come back, and I doubt they plan to abandon their goal.

I shouldn't have to tell any of you that this is a problem. As much as it goes against my nature to suggest the free trade of information, it may be beneficial to pool knowledge and resources to see if there isn't something to be done about cultists toying with lives and planes as they please.

[Yorda gives a small nod of agreement.]

...For the Kedan whose friends have gone missing... I am sorry this has happened to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Anything, hm?

[He's not entirely wrong. It's just trickier with some things. Like organs.]

I'm sure you'll get a chance to put that can-do spirit to use, if such a spell can be tracked down. After all, everyone would benefit from not having their souls partially external.

[A beat. A very deliberately raised eyebrow. Well, life's no fun without a challenge.]

Careful, darling. Anyone from my world will happily tell you I bite.

A little biting never hurt.

[Said in the most flirtatious way, before he levels out to more serious again.]

There might be a reason for the souls being external. Returning them could be a bad thing if we don't know what we're doing. But if it's a bad thing for the kedan and we can figure out how to put their souls back, the magic should be similar to return our own.

But that's the point, my dear. A little pain serves an excellent counterpoint.

[Or more than a little. She's smiling, though.]

The soul gems do, I believe, have something to do with anchoring us to this plane; but if that's the case, then learning how to manipulate them may in turn give us the ability to return home at our will.

[Which she might.]

For the kedan, though... they must be terribly adrift.

[China does not actually sound all that concerned by this.]

Whatever.

[Sleep with him or don't, but Penny would rather pass on the word games.]

Returning home at will might not be a good thing either. [Although he prefers it as a general though, he's smart enough to recognize it could lead to some unintended consequences if they aren't careful.]

You gonna help me with the kedan research or what?

[Well, that's boring.]

[She's still considering the option, though.]

Mm. My own world's in a particularly volatile state.

[There were explosions.]

I suppose I could help. What will you offer me in return?

[This network post is the limit of her free helpfulness, unfortunately for everyone else.]

You have anything to do with that 'volatile state?'

[A rude question, but an important one.]

What do you want?

It certainly wasn't my fault, since that's what you're asking.

[Apart from the one thing she did a couple of centuries ago, and that's barely a whisper compared to the current problems. She counts it only because it destroyed her library.]

In order of preference, information, favours specific to your skillset, or juulan.

I was asking if you had anything to do with it. Whether that's causing it or trying to fix it.

I don't think I know anything about this place that you don't know, but I can certainly provide favors. [Said with a hint of flirtation again.]

[Browraise.]

An acquaintance of mine dragged me into making some attempt at fixing it.

[She'd have been more than happy to remain neutral, if it were only her. Peculiar, though, that he cares more for the fact of involvement rather than what she did.]

I like to keep tabs on movements in the city, which is slightly more difficult to do as only one person. I'm certainly amenable to favours, however.

What do you do, darling? [That's deliberate.] I take it you've your own sort of magic.

I'm wondering if this place draws in the important people.

[Such humble, much brag.]

I don't trade magic. [He frowns.] I'll help you with information.

Not bothering to pretend at humility, I see.

[She sounds approving.]

Information it is, then.

[A very brief pause.]

Or other trades of favours, as appropriate. You have me curious now, darling.

I know I'm important in my world. You said you were involved in your world's crisis too, right? It could be a condition for the spell to work.

Look, if you want favors, I'm happy to oblige. Until you pass out and then again when you wake up. You're hot. But if you get crazy? Deal's off.

Mm. The Emperor who designed it reportedly did so to summon 'heroes' for the war.

One of those she summoned killed her, or so the story goes, so evidently she was less than careful with her criteria.

[She smiles at him.]

I suppose that qualifies as an exchange of services, yes. There may be some debate about equivalency.

[No promises will be made on the crazy front.]

What is it about your magic that has you so possessive, I wonder?

[She has to wonder if it can be lost, unlike her own.]

Heroes ain't all good people.

[He shrugs, because it makes sense to draw the important and courageous people in, especially if it's for a war. It's not entirely unlike Jane and the Dean choosing them to fight The Beast.]

I didn't learn how to use magic to sell it off to the highest bidder.

We'd like to believe they are.

[It would make life so much simpler. But much of her experience with heroes, self-styled and otherwise, suggests otherwise.]

Why did you learn magic, then?

Naive and ignorant people like to believe they are.

And because I wanted to.

[Such linefacing. He doesn't want to make anything too easy.]

Naive and ignorant people are the only ones who can, perhaps.

It would be a simpler world.

[She doesn't sound particularly mournful for it.]

Well enough, then. There are worse reasons.

You mean stupider.

[He chuckles a little with the thought and drops the subject of his magic for now.]

I'm hardly going to argue with you there, darling.

[A light sigh, which is more drama than the concept deserves.]

Romanticism only goes so far.

And you ain't a romantic.

Certainly not by any definition I've ever heard.

That's good to know.

[And she smiles.]

It's been a pleasure to meet you, my dear. Was there anything else?

You tell me.

You're the one who had questions to begin with, after all. And I'm hardly a mind-reader.

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