driftfleet | Try Catching Flootemon with your Communicator!

[Now this is interesting. Usually the only entrepreneur around is himself, considering the mess he made on the beach before. He's been gathering herbs all day and he's feeling the heat, so... why not. Why not come over. He's very impressed by the setup, and sure enough, decides to donate a few acorns to the cause so he has at least one of each flavor (that he can see, that is).

It's obvious Mikleo isn't interested in conversation, so he just shoves a spoon into his mouth. There's a critical pause... an eyebrow for evaluation, and then the final verdict:]

This is actually quite good. -- What are you reading?

[THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL.]

[Mikleo pauses, glancing over in surprise. He'd expected the person to already be gone, since he'd heard the little clink of acorns dropping into the cup, but sure enough, he's actually getting looked at. Huh.

Shaking off his shock, he tucks a little bookmark into place and offers the book out.]

I found a book on this world's fairy tales, so I thought I'd give it a try. It's not the most advanced read, but it's undeniably interesting.

Reading fairy tales from another world gives you a close look at what they value, and even some of their traditions. I had quite a collection before I left the first time. [He sets his ice cream down so that he can take the book (sorry Mikleo) and flip through it.] The word count is certainly made up for by the intricate illustrations many of them contain.

-- Look at this one, how the lines converge at these four points to form a symmetrical pattern! And then you can see a smaller version right here, around the edges.

Edited 2016-07-10 02:03 (UTC)

[Mikleo straightens up and leans in, peering over to get a better look at what he's referring to. Ah...! What is this, a fellow scholar!?]

Yes, exactly! I've been noticing a pattern repeated in a number of the stories. I want to know what it means, but I haven't worked it out just yet.

[His eyes widen, and he stares at Mikleo with a sense of excitement.]

It's a repeating pattern?! Then it must definitely be cultural. It could be a literal representation of something, or it could be like the dwarves' fascination with knots-- simply a pattern they find pleasing...

[He doesn't want to give the book back, he wants to find out, but he also recognizes that this book was found by Mikleo first so he... hands it over. Besides, his ice cream might melt.]

Come to think of it, the pattern resembles embroidery I've seen in the shops.

[Well now he's on his feet, eyes wide and eager.]

Really!? Can you show me where you saw it?

[Even if he never figures out the meaning, it's a lovely pattern. He can think of plenty of things to do with material like that.

But, you know, he's damn well going to try to figure it out, first.]

[He blinks, but Mikleo's eagerness is familiar to him; it mirrors his own. The fact that someone else could get this excited about research-- well-- it makes him think of Hiro. Hiro probably wouldn't be into this kinda thing though.

So it's up to them.]

Yes! I remember exactly where it was, since I was considering getting some material for new robes.

[He moves to pick up the ice cream he'd bought, and then he becomes a little worried for the rest. Without asking, he waves his free hand over the buckets and scoops of treats; this refreshes the ice and chills the cups deeply, so they won't melt in their absence.

Mikleo could've done it himself, but Belthazar didn't... know that... so.]

[Huh... so this guy knows artes - or magic, whatever - as well. Mikleo watches with interest, tucking his book away. Neat.]

Er... the ice won't melt unless I allow it, but thank you for that.

Ah-- my apologies. [His cheeks color a little, and he looks away.] A-anyway, let us be off!

[He charges in the direction of the town, spoon held forward... before he pulls it back so he can eat while they walk. He can totally multitask. This is a kid who is used to grabbing, eating, and running all in the span of five seconds.]

No need to apologize. I do appreciate the help, and I'm sure a bit of extra chill can't hurt the ice cream. Do you mind if I ask what the nature of that skill is?

[Give him a moment, he's uh, decided to stuff three scoops of ice cream into his mouth at once.

Not the best idea, because a few seconds later--]

Ugh, headache... [There was a question.] It's frost magic-- specifically, a minor version of Frostbolt that I use to help preserve cold food.

[What is it with people eating their ice cream too fast... Sorey does that, too. So silly.]

Sorry, I meant- is this magic something you learned, or were you born with it?

Oh. [He laughs a little self-consciously.] I was born with magic, but I had to study to learn how to control it. [That sounds a little confusing, so he adds:] I set my sister's hair on fire when I was four.

[Pfft. Nice.]

So you can use multiple elements, then.

[Thankfully, Caspa had already come into her healing powers.]

Yes. Studying the basics of every school of magic is vital to understanding how they work, though most people specialize in just one. Mastering all of them takes incredible skill and a lifelong dedication.

[Thankfully, he's an elf and he'll live a long time.]

What about you?

I'm a water seraph. My element is my specialty. I can combine it with its submissive and dominant elements to some degree, but at the core, water and ice is always tied to my power.

[Which, although he loves and thrives in water, can be frustratingly limiting at times. But it's his nature, so there's nothing to be done about it, anyway.]

I do not know what a seraph is, but the power you describe makes you sound like an elemental-- a spirit of nature.

[It must be wonderful to tied to the world like that. Belthazar can't imagine it... He's been chained to magic his whole life, and though magic flows through the earth, it's a bit different than becoming one with the trees and the water and the air. He enjoys the company of nature and he always has, but the ancestral connection between elves and nature has been overshadowed by their dark addiction.]

I sensed that you were more than a human but I could not be sure what. Admittedly, elementals normally do not look anything like people on my world, so I am a little bit surprised.

[Here's one of those convenient ladders to ascend to the upper branches, though there's probably a ramp or two somewhere if they look.]

Elemental or nature spirit is as close a comparison as I've been able to find. And honestly, I'm impressed you can see me at all. Most people can't.

It makes the most sense. Nature spirits have always been a very tangible part of my world.

[At the next part, he squints.] -- I don't detect any spells of invisibility.

It's not a spell, it's part of our nature. Or rather, it's a lack of ability in mortals- without resonance, others can't perceive us.

And yet I can say with certainty that you are not a ghost.

[As they walk, Belthazar points to his glowing green eyes.]

I can see mana. I can feel it, too, but the eyes make for more useful observation.

I'm definitely not a ghost.

[s i g h]

If it's mana you see, then it makes sense that seraphim are visible to you. Our bodies are almost entirely composed of it.

You're-- made of mana? [... No wonder he keeps lighting up in Belth's senses like a tasty snack.] That's impressive. And very appropriate, considering your connection with the elements.

[He's not going to elaborate on why, exactly, he can sense mana. Maybe when Mikleo knows him better and won't flee the other direction.]

Oh! I think I see the shop! [THANK THE LIGHT, A DISTRACTION]

[Mikleo's more inclined to think it has to do with his powers, so there's that, at least. It helps that he can be easily distracted by historical discoveries when the situation allows 8D]

It was this close, and I missed it this whole time? There really is too much to explore in this place.

[Thank goodness.]

It is easy to overlook. Most of the exterior is covered by these woven rugs, so one might walk by thinking it is no more than a tapestry shop.

[He opens the door and holds it open for Mikleo, at least for a brief moment. He doesn't care if the store owner thinks he's talking to himself.]

Now, where was that fabric... It was a dark color of some kind, with the pattern in gold along the bottom.

Try Catching Flootemon with your Communicator!

we all scream for ...

...cheese!?

.......... no

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