[ What they're talking about, what it could mean for Basilio and Fidelio, is important. ]
Spiritual energy, or spiritual life force energy, is the energy that permeates the universe. It exists in all natural things and is not confined to the material world. Most "special" abilities, existences, magic are deeply intertwined with this energy. The majority of [ she hesitates a second -- it isn't like she didn't catch his expression the last time she used the word, but she can't think of a better one ] humans and peoples of mixed lineage in modern times are utterly blind to it. They're referred to as Dormant. Those who possess the proper sixth sense, who sense, see, and feel spiritual energy, whether born or acquired, are referred to as Awakened.
I fall into the latter category, but I don't just sense, I do.
[ Many, many things, but Fidelio didn't ask for the write up. Now, how to explain this...? Up goes her pointer. ]
You gotta promise not to get all prickly until I'm done explaining. Got it?
[ she sure got her energy back right quick once they got onto this subject... he nods as she explains; yeah, that's pretty close to what he was imagining. so far, what he's getting is that she's sort of like a mustari who can use magic without an igniter. all right; that's understandable enough.
at that request, though, he scoffs and shakes his head. ]
Not in the habit of makin' promises I can't keep, lass.
[ 'prickly' is basically his default. but he doesn't intend to interrupt her before she's finished her explanation... though he is curious now why she felt the need to preface it like this. ]
[ She quirks her lips, eyes dropping to half-lidded as she regards him a brief moment. ]
At least you're honest.
[ And she drops the expression quickly enough. How to...? She's used to explaining it as a showman with a little personal flair, but that's not what this is. ]
What do you think of when you hear the term "illusionist"?
[ She nods. There might be the tiniest smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Yes, it's a serious matter, but Nao enjoys her craft. To know it exists in some form in another world is an odd, tiny joy in the midst of this. ]
Correct. That's what most people think. Most novices start and stop with optical illusions and tout it as the tops, but there's way more to the craft.
An illusion isn't just a distortion of the optical sense to make people see things that aren't really there. To begin with, an illusion is the product of the manipulation of a sense or senses. An illusionist manipulates reality, be it a person's reality or the environment itself, and in affecting the senses and the mind, affects the body, heart, and soul.
Optical illusions are simple, child's play. They're easily overcome. A fully versed illusionist could have a person thinking they're living in another world, stripped of their powers, subject to physical consequences, even, and should you believe it, you are.
[ hm... well, that makes enough sense as a concept. skills where a person makes temporary copies of themselves that are capable of dealing damage aren't unheard of, even if he doesn't know how the hell they actually work. ]
One of them, but it's important. I can keep the affected party secure and locked down so they don't hurt themselves or anyone else. I can move and restrain them if need be. Knock 'em out? Yeah, but that's not ideal.
The key would be to disrupt the rage on as many levels as possible. Illusions do just that mentally and physically and, with my sight, I can see what's going on with your spirit, your soul, the energies flowing through you. I can disrupt what needs to be disrupted when and where directly, and if it tries to clap back? It's just a matter of figuring out what adjustments need to be made to help you come back and I'm hella persistent.
[ on one hand, fidelio absolutely hates the idea of someone being able to look into his soul and see what a proper fucking mess he is on the inside. it was bad enough having saint rella comment on what she was picking up from his magla flow before he came here. and allowing someone to potentially manipulate it — through lies, no less — sounds even worse.
on the other... it actually does sound like this could work. while they'd suffered straightforward physical injuries during the experiments too, most of the worst effects like this were all about what the igniters did to their magla. being able to visualise and change its flow might at least be enough to keep them from spiralling out of control if things go south, even if there's no actual fix for the damage.
after a silence, he nods. ]
...Yeah, all right. Sounds like that might be able to manage it, if I'm understandin' it right.
Good to know, though I hope like hell we'll never actually have to try it and find out.
[ he doesn't return the smile; he just bristles and looks away. a better one would've been able to keep all of this from happening in the first place. ]
Should do him some good to see you're not too much worse for wear.
[ he thinks about giving basilio a heads up about what's coming... but maybe it's better if he doesn't know to expect it. won't spend his time stewing in anxiety until then that way. ]
Sure. We got heat here, and we're not over susceptible to cold besides.
[ he doesn't like it, but he can deal. far from the worst they've had. (actually, after weeks with a fever on a stiflingly hot island, it's kind of refreshing, though the novelty will probably wane pretty quickly.) ]
I'm managing. I was thinking about cold weather clothes. It doesn't seem like they're going to be the easiest thing to get now. Did you stock up before things went to hell?
Good. I know there's more of you over there and the locals aren't exactly thrilled with how things went down yesterday. 'M not sure how long 'til they let us shop again.
[ And that's... hmm. ]
You wouldn't happen to know you and Bas' measurements, would you? [ No reason. ]
[ he doesn't get it, but what's the worst she can do with their measurements? waste her time making some ugly thing he'll never wear?
...well. actually that would be pretty bad; he's going to feel like they owe her after this mess already. he really doesn't want that debt to get any bigger. ]
I'd rather you didn't put all that effort in for us, actually.
[ given... everything. ]
But... s'pose I can write 'em down for you at some point if you decide you're dead set on it.
It'll help me get my head on straight while I figure out where to go from here since my best lead turned to dust. If you decide you like what I make, I'll charge you... nothing. Aren't you supposed to be teaching me about your tribe so I don't act a fool? I'll take that as payment if it bothers you.
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Not by that name, exactly, but I've got somethin' of an idea.
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[ What they're talking about, what it could mean for Basilio and Fidelio, is important. ]
Spiritual energy, or spiritual life force energy, is the energy that permeates the universe. It exists in all natural things and is not confined to the material world. Most "special" abilities, existences, magic are deeply intertwined with this energy. The majority of [ she hesitates a second -- it isn't like she didn't catch his expression the last time she used the word, but she can't think of a better one ] humans and peoples of mixed lineage in modern times are utterly blind to it. They're referred to as Dormant. Those who possess the proper sixth sense, who sense, see, and feel spiritual energy, whether born or acquired, are referred to as Awakened.
I fall into the latter category, but I don't just sense, I do.
[ Many, many things, but Fidelio didn't ask for the write up. Now, how to explain this...? Up goes her pointer. ]
You gotta promise not to get all prickly until I'm done explaining. Got it?
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at that request, though, he scoffs and shakes his head. ]
Not in the habit of makin' promises I can't keep, lass.
[ 'prickly' is basically his default. but he doesn't intend to interrupt her before she's finished her explanation... though he is curious now why she felt the need to preface it like this. ]
Go on.
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At least you're honest.
[ And she drops the expression quickly enough. How to...? She's used to explaining it as a showman with a little personal flair, but that's not what this is. ]
What do you think of when you hear the term "illusionist"?
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Correct. That's what most people think. Most novices start and stop with optical illusions and tout it as the tops, but there's way more to the craft.
An illusion isn't just a distortion of the optical sense to make people see things that aren't really there. To begin with, an illusion is the product of the manipulation of a sense or senses. An illusionist manipulates reality, be it a person's reality or the environment itself, and in affecting the senses and the mind, affects the body, heart, and soul.
Optical illusions are simple, child's play. They're easily overcome. A fully versed illusionist could have a person thinking they're living in another world, stripped of their powers, subject to physical consequences, even, and should you believe it, you are.
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...All right. And that's what your thing is?
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The key would be to disrupt the rage on as many levels as possible. Illusions do just that mentally and physically and, with my sight, I can see what's going on with your spirit, your soul, the energies flowing through you. I can disrupt what needs to be disrupted when and where directly, and if it tries to clap back? It's just a matter of figuring out what adjustments need to be made to help you come back and I'm hella persistent.
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on the other... it actually does sound like this could work. while they'd suffered straightforward physical injuries during the experiments too, most of the worst effects like this were all about what the igniters did to their magla. being able to visualise and change its flow might at least be enough to keep them from spiralling out of control if things go south, even if there's no actual fix for the damage.
after a silence, he nods. ]
...Yeah, all right. Sounds like that might be able to manage it, if I'm understandin' it right.
Good to know, though I hope like hell we'll never actually have to try it and find out.
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[ She exhales gently with that -- ]
You're a good brother, Fidelio. [ -- and smiles. ]
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Ugh. Whatever, don't lay it on too thick.
You were just checkin' in on him, then?
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Yeah. I'm gonna reach out to him today.
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Should do him some good to see you're not too much worse for wear.
[ he thinks about giving basilio a heads up about what's coming... but maybe it's better if he doesn't know to expect it. won't spend his time stewing in anxiety until then that way. ]
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[ ... ]
You guys are keeping warm, yeah?
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[ he doesn't like it, but he can deal. far from the worst they've had. (actually, after weeks with a fever on a stiflingly hot island, it's kind of refreshing, though the novelty will probably wane pretty quickly.) ]
You?
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[ they'd had to go shopping to replace some bloodstained clothes. ]
Not in bad shape far as food goes, at least.
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[ And that's... hmm. ]
You wouldn't happen to know you and Bas' measurements, would you? [ No reason. ]
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[ Better, actually. She's a spider. ]
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Kind of a yes or no question, innit? 'Less you're talkin' about knitting or some such.
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I weave, too.
[ Couldn't just let her have it, could you, Fidelio? ]
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...Right.
[ he doesn't get it, but what's the worst she can do with their measurements? waste her time making some ugly thing he'll never wear?
...well. actually that would be pretty bad; he's going to feel like they owe her after this mess already. he really doesn't want that debt to get any bigger. ]
I'd rather you didn't put all that effort in for us, actually.
[ given... everything. ]
But... s'pose I can write 'em down for you at some point if you decide you're dead set on it.
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[ She can admit that much. She is. ]
It'll help me get my head on straight while I figure out where to go from here since my best lead turned to dust. If you decide you like what I make, I'll charge you... nothing. Aren't you supposed to be teaching me about your tribe so I don't act a fool? I'll take that as payment if it bothers you.
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