You awaken in a rather cold bed, the impression where Kaliel went to bed with you still remained. You open an eye, still quite tired from the late-night dancing at the kalak reunion. Little happened, other than Zeke and Cassiel talking about charms, Raziel and Azariel discussing the afterlife, and Vithriel trying to get Dariel to drink- while also trying not to make Neiriel angry at him- a futile gesture. Technically, the reunion is still ongoing, as it supposedly does for a few days to a week.
You look out of the window, and you assume it's morning light peeking through the clouds, despite the thick rain that poured down from the sky. It was only a light drizzle last night, but the rain must have started beating down during the time you were asleep.

Welp, might as well get up. Let's check on Dras.

>>21151549
That seems like a reasonable course of action.

You climb out of bed, and get dressed in something warm- several layers of clothing, in truth, and strap Rikar to one hip and your spellbook to the other, putting your armor in your inventory for now, prepared to pull it out and don it at any moment.

You wander around the halls, checking each guest room, until you find what you think might be Dras's guest room. Lightly, you knock on it, but there's no response. Carefully, you open it, peeking in-

And the guest room is pure, utter black. No walls lie on the inside, no floors or ceiling, not even windows, or a bed. No source of light except for the open door you're peeking through.
You see Dras and Grayson, both sleeping, floating in the air. Dras's hair was frazzled, but she was clinging to Grayson tightly. The dire bea- the tiger was purring softly, eyes closed, tail twitching. It was still rather strange to think of Grayson's new body as him.

>>21151587
Nothing out of the ordinary here. Close the door and let her sleep some more.

Rolled 58

>>21151587
We should use magic sight, just to see what the actual fuck is going on here, then leave them alone.

>>21151587
No walls or floor or ceiling? One of our guest room doors just opens out into the endless abyss?
Let them sleep, I suppose. Go see how elf chick is settling in, have breakfast with her.

You step back, flip open your spellbook, and look up divination, and find the magic sight spell. Reading it, you cast it with only your hands, not wanting to speak and wake anyone up. As the wizardry descends upon you, you see translocation magic, weaved around where the guest room's walls, floor, and ceilings should be, all twisting around, the energy slowly coming from Dras'lea. A strange evocation magic permeated the air, counteracting... gravity. Force, constantly pushing upward, making everything weigh exactly nothing.
You gulp, step back, and start to close the door, to let her sleep some more.

"G'morning." Dras'lea said, mumbling, eyes opening. "Come in."

>>21151694
Do so.
"How are you feeling?"

>>21151694
"Sorry for waking you. That's a nice thing you're doing."

>>21151694
Jump in. Fuck yeah zero-g.
"Sleep well? I've never seen somebody sleep like that before."

You step in, and immediately you fly upwards, propelled upward as you push against the doorway as you try to walk. Your stomach felt strange, as if you were falling constantly.
"Sorry for waking you." You say, drifting, spinning slowly with no real way to control your flight. You twist, to try to keep facing Dras'lea. "Did you sleep well? I've never seen somebody sleep like that before."
"I was... having problems sleeping." She said, as you slowly drifted into the endless abyss. Eventually, the strange force reducing gravity stopped you, and slowly propelled you back to the center. "This helped. A little."

She raised her hand, and brought forth her magic, closing the door behind you. It promptly vanished, save for the doorknob, and everything got darker, though somehow you could still see everything's form, like a silhouette.
"And it's fine." She said. "I slept long enough."

>>21151763
"That's good. Let's go get some breakfast. I'm sure eating real food is better for you than subsisting purely on magic."

>>21151763
"How are you feeling? Want to come down to breakfast and meet everyone?"

>no real way to control your flight
Nonsense. We can shove ourself around with little force spells.

>>21151763
"This would make a great environment for playing a game, you know."

"Is there anything I can do to help with your sleep?"

"How are you feeling?" You ask. "Want to come down to breakfast and meet everyone? I'm sure eating real food is better for you than subsisting purely on magic"
"It's tastier. And, um... I still haven't changed my face." She said, and you vaguely see her frowning. She closed her eyes, and you see a strange force of magic build up inside of her, and suddenly you're falling onto the guest room floor, while Dras'lea and Grayson land on her bed. Her hair was disheveled, and the bags in her eyes were a bit smaller than they were earler. She closed her eyes for a long moment, and then her hair went black, her nose, lips, and jawling subtly shifting. She scratched at her eyes, the enormous tiger laying on her, and then crawled out from underneath him, hugging herself.

"... How's this?" She asked, as you pushed yourself to you feet. You were looking at a serious, raven-haired girl, almost... daintier than she had looked before.

>>21151861
"Adorable. I still think you should stay in our real form, but I understand why you don't want to."

>>21151861
Smile at her, "Pretty. I like it."

>>21151861
"I think you look good. Only you can know if it fits you and is comfortable."

>>21151892
But this is almost better! She's like our tiny dark haired twin sister who doesn't work out!

>>21151907
She changed her facial structure. She doesn't look like us anymore.

>>21151907
She's just a sister now, not a twin. Twins are cooler.

>>21151914
>There's still a family resemblance. If Kaliel examined her and compared her to you, she'd declare you sisters. That is, if she didn't know the truth.

"Pretty." You say, and give her a smile. "I like it."
"Okay." She said, and got off of her bed, opening the drawers. She pulled out some clothing, and examined it, and then you see that strange, familiar energy well up inside of her body, ready to burst free... and it bursts free in every direction, dissolving immediately. She frowned, and tried it again. This time, the spell tore into the brown tunic, turning it into a black, hooded cloak.
"It's cold, here in reality." She said, frowning, as she threw the cloak around her shoulders, keeping the hood down.

>>21151951
"Is your sorcery as unpredictable as mine?"

>>21151951
"Only sometimes. Did you ever figure out why our sorcery is so erratic?"

>>21151951
Put her cloak on so we match. If we don't already have it on.
"Sometimes it's cold, sometimes it's hot."

"Only sometimes." You say, reaching for the cloak in your inventory- before you remember that Kaliel still had it. "Did you ever figure out why our sorcery is so erratic?"
"It's, um, our arakoatoa blood." She said. "It... changed, our sorcery. They kinda, um, fused. It's hard to explain, but it's more reliable the more... willpower we have."

>>21151951
"That's partially because you're skin and bones my dear. We'll fix that in time.

So your casting is just as erratic as mine. The universe is a funny place, it gives us a gift that is as likely to turn a sword into as artifact as it is to drain us completely making a little light."

>>21152008
"Oh, I see. Anything else about me I should know?"

>>21152008
"I suppose that makes sense. Is there anything about our heritage and our Talent that I haven't managed to notice by now?

Would you care to join me for breakfast?"

>>21152008
"Well, it also gives us much more magical stamina, so I guess it's not too bad of a tradeoff.

"I suppose that makes sense." You say. "Anything else about me I should know?"
"Your hands are weird." She said. "They're some kind of... catalyst... thing, caused from too much magic running through them at once. It should make it easier for spellcasting, I think."
"Oh, I see." You say. "Would you care to join me for breakfast?"
"Well... okay." She said, and pulled her hood up, and mostly over her eyes.

Grayson rolled over and arched his back, yawning loudly, before rolling off the bed, landing on his paws. He yawned again, and then started following the two of you. Dras'lea kept her arms under her cloak, wrapped around her own stomach, hugging herself as the three of you made your way down to the dining hall. It was mostly empty, save for a few pages and soldiers. You take a seat, Grayson sitting down on his haunches on one side of you, and Dras'lea sat on the other side, petting Grayson. Soon enough, the cooks brought some food, and immediately the girl started eating voraciously.

>>21152117
What is it? What's for breakfast, Exabyte? How are we meant to make decisions if you leave out crucial details like that?
I guess we should eat some.

>>21152149
>Pluvash Toast, with nervghaul butter, and then a few striplisk muffins and eggs. With vinefruit juice.

>>21152117
While eating
"How exactly does subsisting on magic work, anyways?"

>>21152160
That's a rather healthy breakfast. Ought to start putting some healthy weight on Dras. Once she gets in decent shape we'll make her work out with us.

>>21152117
"It looks like you got a good night's sleep, you look a lot better than you did before."

You take a few bites of toast, and then eat a muffin.
"How exactly does subsisting on magic work, anyways?"
"Um, I just... made myself not hungry or thirsty or tired, with sorcery."
"It looks like you got a good night's sleep. You look a lot better than you did before."
"Did I really look that bad?" She asked.

Marigold approached and then took a seat next to you. Surreptitiously, Dras'lea pulled her hood over her eyes again.
"Ishelda!" She said, and gave you a kiss on the cheek. She eyed Grayson and Dras'lea, obviously not knowing who they are.

>>21152243
"Hello, Marigold, we have visitors from lands afar! They want you to marry into their royal family to cement both our nations."

>>21152262
All of my THIS.

>>21152243
"Morning Marigold. The cat's Grayson, he changed bodies while we were out.

How's Kristoph doing?"

<Dras, what name do you want me to use to call you by in front of others? I already told them that I was pretty sure you were me from the future.>

>>21152262
I'd feel bad about torturing Marigold like that if it wasn't so much fun.
Do it.

>>21152243
<Are you still going as Dras, or do you want to use a different name?>
"Hi, Mar. The cat's Grayson, and this is -Dras'lea/Dras new name-

>>21152297
I'm more worried we'll upset Dras with that, honestly. If we're going to do that, we should let her know what's going on and to play along.

"Morning, Marigold." You say. "We have visitors from lands afar! They want you to marry into their royal family, to cement both our nations."
"I see." She said, instantly adopting a neutral face. "I'm the princess Marigold. Pleased to meet you."
<Why didn't you *warn* me?!> She asked, over the rings. You let out a giggle, and she glared at you.
"... You lied to me, Ishelda." She responded, and then gave you a smile.

"The cat's Grayson, he changed bodies while we were out." You say, and Grayson meows as he gnaws on a particularly large vinefruit. "And this is..."
<... Just.. just call me Lea.> Dras'lea responded.
"And this is Lea." You say, nodding to her.
"Pleased to meet you." Marigold said to Dras'lea.
"You too, Marigold." She said, quietly.

>>21152361
"Is Kris feeling any better? You have been taking good care of him right?"

"Is Kris feeling any better? You have been taking good care of him, right?"
"Yeah, he's out in the rain and muck with the other knights. I deemed him fit to train." She said, and gave you a smile. "And... just plain fit."
Lea absentmindedly stabbed a muffin with her fork, and continued eating, silently.

>>21152547
"Do you think you're making any progress?"
<Why are you acting so shy, Lea?>

>>21152547
"Finally got him, huh? Good for you."

>>21152582
Probably thinks everybody hates her. Might be why she insisted on changing her appearance as well.

>>21152547
"I'm glad he's okay."
<Should I be squeeing?>

>>21152547
"That's good to hear."

<You okay Dras?>

>>21152607
Lea, not Dras.

"I'm glad he's okay." You say. "Do you think you're making any progress?"
"Well..." Marigold said, twisting her finger in her hair. "Yeah, I do."
<Should I be squeeing?> You ask.
<Not quite yet.> Marigold responded.

<Are you okay, Lea?> You ask.
<I'm fine.> She responded, continuing to eat. <This is really good.>

>>21152629
"Remember, for all of his good qualities Kris can be quite dense at times. You have to be willing to be blunt, direct, and maybe even slightly forceful with him."

>>21152660
this

"Remember, for all of his good qualities, Kris can be quite dense at times." You say. "You have to be willing to be blunt, direct, and maybe even slightly forceful with him."
"I know." She said. "He knows I'm interested in him. And he doesn't seem to... completely hate the idea. But I'd better finish breakfast and go get a parasol. I want to go out there with Kell. He loves the rain and mud. The rain is good for everything but people."

>>21152718
"I bet Kell's happy to be back with you."

>>21152718
I kept Kell safe.

"I bet Kell's happy to be back with you."
"He is!" she said, grinning. "He spent all of yesterday hugging me and carrying me around. He still calls me Mawigraw, though."
"Mawigraw." Dras'lea said, stifling a giggle. "That's adorable."
"It is!" Marigold said. "Do you want to come meet him?"
"Maybe later." She said. "It's all... rainy and muddy."
"Yeah, good point." Mar said, nodding to her. "I like the rain, though. Mostly the smell."

>>21152770
Translation: He never even did anything for the whole journey.

>>21152784
"I think I'll join you outside Marigraw, I haven't been paying enough attention to my knights. They ought to see their Queen encouraging them when they train on days like this."

Rolled 29

>>21152784
Create a mud repelling pair of boots for Dras, to shelter her from the cold and the rain.

>>21152784
"I like the rain making my country fertile and green. I don't like it messing up my hair."

>>21152817
We don't really need to help her. She's better at magic than us. She could levitate along with the rain bending around to miss her if she wanted.

>>21152854
Her sorcery is just as erratic as ours, and she no longer has not!bubbles. I'd say we're about even really.

>>21152868
Her sorcery is the same as ours, but she has a lot more raw power, and she's way more experienced at wizardry.

Rolled 96

<How did it go last night Grayson? Not too... Damp, are we.>

I must confess to being a bit jealous that Dras got to sleep with the new fluffy first.

"I like the rain making my country fertile and green." You say. "I don't like it messing up my hair."
"Who does?" Marigold asked. "Hence the parasol. And you have your magic, I'm sure there's a spell to protect you from the weather."

Dras'lea looked down to her food, and continued eating.

<How did it go last night, Grayson? Not too... damp, are we?>
<... That is between me and her.> Grayson said. <But... it wasn't too damp, no. She just had some problems sleeping.>

>>21152926
<I'm glad you were there for her. She looks like she needed it and is doing a bit better.

By the way, what exactly is your Talent in this form? It does make me somewhat sad that you can no longer enhance your fluffiness.>

>>21152926
"You're right, I could probably come up with something. Come and get some exercise Lea, you need all that food to turn into muscle and not fat."

>>21152964
I like this. Let's spar with ourselves.

"um, lea, what happened to rikar?"

<I'm glad you were there for her.> You say. <She looks like she needed it, and is doing a bit better.>
<A bit.> He responded, still gnawing on the vinefruit.
<By the way, what exactly is your talent in this form?>
<The ability to lie unseen.> He said. <I still have to be silent, and people can still feel me. Nothing powerful, but useful.>
"You're right. I could probably come up with something." You say. "Come and get some exercise Lea, you need all that food to turn into muscle, and not fat."

She looked up to you.
"But I'm strong enough now." She said. "I don't feel like exercising. I'm... fine here."

>>21153004
"I'm glad that you are, but you should aspire to be more than just fine. Still, I won't force you."

>>21153004
"You're positively scrawny, Lea. I think it would do you some good."

>>21153004
But how will you attract men with sparring and dancing if you don't practice?

Not to mention being fit makes certain things much more fun.

>>21152998
She said she couldn't wield it when she was VQ. It was destroyed at some point along with the rest of her universe.

>>21153004
"You're skin and bones. You've been ill and neglecting yourself. It won't do."
<Plus exercise helps take your mind off things, makes you happy.>

"You're skin and bones. You've been ill, and neglecting yourself. It won't do."
"I've been sustained by magic." She responded. "Not ill, nor neglecting myself. I'm fine."
Marigold looked from you to Lea.
"You're positively scrawny, Lea. I think it would do you some good."
"I was able to kill the minotaur alpha, remember?" She asked. "I'm fine."
"... Dras'lea?" Marigold asked, suddenly.
Lea met her eyes for a fraction of a moment. "... Right." She lowered her head again, and continued eating.

>>21153093
"I... Sorry."

>>21153110
and then GROUP HUG THEM!

>>21153093
"I fixed her emotions with the gearworks. She'll be staying with us."
<And I was right about her being me, but from an alternate reality where everything went horribly, horribly wrong.>

>>21153093
Sigh. "If you insist."
<She's going to live here now. I've made her stop trying to destroy the world and stuff.>

"I... sorry." You say.
"It's fine." She responded, and closed her eyes.
<She's going to live here now.> You say. <I fixed her emotions with the gearworks.>
<Is she... safe?> Marigold asked. You pretend not to notice a tear drop from Lea's eyes as she patted Grayson's head. She wiped her eyes with a napkin, and continued eating in silence.

>>21153159
God damnit. HUG THE GIRL.

>>21153159
I'm worried about her. If she does anything dangerous it will be to herself.

>>21153159
Hug her.
<Safe to us. She has a conscience now. And it's feeling very guilty about all the things she did.>

>>21153159
Hug Lea.
<She's safe. I'm worried about her. She's been through some horrible, horrible things.>

Rolled 39

>>21153159
Turn her into a birdman, then let's show her around the city. I don't care if she's seen to before, we always show new guests where everything is.

Also kalak faces hide tears better.

>>21153159
Hug her. "I am sorry. I was probably moving too fast for you so please take your time. It's just...I don't want to see you shut yourself out now that you're you again."

You pull her into a hug, and she all but clings to you, her eyes closed tightly.
<Safe to us.> You say. <I'm worried about her. She's been through some... horrible, horrible things.>
"It's just... I don't want to see you shut yourself out now that you're you again." You murmur.
"I'm... I'm not going to be able to hit the ground running." She mumured back. "I'm sorry."
<... I feel bad for her.> Marigold said.

>>21153251
"It's ok. Take your time."

>>21153251
"I know, Lea. But if you don't start, you'll never get anywhere."
<I think she'd rather not tell anyone, so don't let on that I've told you, but she *is* me. From an alternate universe where everything went horribly wrong.>

>>21153251
Let's take our little (elder?) Sister and show her off to our family. Ie: everyone. I think the kalak last, since she has a few apologies to make to them.

"It's okay, take your time. But Lea, if you don't start, you'll never get anywhere."
"I left my room today." She said, as if to remind you. "I'm not closing myself off. I don't *want* to close myself off."

<I think she'd rather not tell anyone, so don't let on that I've told you,> You tell Marigold. <But she *is* me. From an alternate universe where everything went... horribly, horribly wrong.>
<She... doesn't look like you.> Marigold said. <She's shorter, and more... dainty. Are you certain?>

>>21153348
She did that this morning, but yes, I am 100% certain.

>>21153348
"That's a good thing. I don't want to have to start dragging you out."
<She's changed her appearance.>

>>21153348
<She shapeshifted so she wouldn't be confused with me. I'm certain.>

>>21153348
"Good. Well as long as you keep thinking like that, it will work out."

>>21153348
<Mar, count the number of times you've been fooled by shapeshifting. She is me.>

"Good to hear. I'll try not to force you to go at my speed...I have a nasty habit of doing that to people. But if I do just let me know like you did here and I'll stop."

>>21153417
>Mar, count the number of times you've been fooled by shapeshifting.
She has other things to do today, you know.

<She shapeshifted so she wouldn't be confused with me.> You say. <I'm certain.>
<... Okay.> She responded.
Marigold finished her meal, and got to her feet.
"Take care, you three." She said, and twirled her parasol over her shoulder, making her way out of the dining hall.
"Good." You say. "As long as you keep thinking like that, it will work out."
Reassured, she pulled away and continued eating.
"I'm a full *hic* month older than you." Lea said, finally, hiccuping. "I should be the one giving you advice."

>>21153348
"Yes. It's magic , after all"

So serious question here guys: who are we going to set Dras'lea up with? Grayson? Tala? Ourselves?

>>21153453
Obviously ourselves and Kal. Or Grayson.

>>21153434
"I disagree. I'm the one helping you get back on your feet, after all."

>>21153434
"But we've lived these Past two years quite differently. We can give each other advice on different things, in sure."

>>21153434
This deserves a truly grand smile and a chuckle.

>>21153453
Kal might not actually mind, since it's double Ishelda. Lea might mind, but then, she's us and we (probably) don't mind the idea.

>>21153434
"I can't imagine the Void Queen picked up much social experience."
"Why do the Mind and your sword look so many years older if they were frozen in time like you?"

>>21153434
I thought it would be longer. You did a lot in that extra month, you're far better at wizarding then I.

>>21153453
That one girl we haven't met yet. Or maybe Belethor.

>>21153453
Ourselves is possible, but seems problematic.
Leon would be my other choice. We know he's interested in us, and I think it could work well. But we'd have to get him back from Cerulean first.

>>21153434
"Oh really? Well, we were only children so you can be like big sister. Maybe you can teach me wizardry stuff!"

>>21153453
Eh. Let it happen over time. I'm sure Exabyte will doing something...

>>21153515
Fem!elethor would probably be fun too.

>>21153519
>will be doing

>>21153513
>That one girl we haven't met yet.
Who? Quaz was the last love interest candidate.
>Or maybe Belethor.
He's taken. Don't try to break him and tailor girl up after it took them so long to get together.

>>21153535
Oh right, I meant fem!leon. The brunette battlemage.

>>21153535
Quaz was the last one for IS. That doesn't mean Lea can't have different suitors.

>>21153552
>He was blond, actually.

"I disagree." You say. "I'm the one helping you get back on your feet, after all."
"It was *hic* a joke." She said, giving you a small smile.
"I thought it would be longer." You say. "You did a lot in that extra month."
"Three months." She said. "Back... at my home, the gearworks was destroyed at the start of autumn. I had to.. manipulate things in the afterlife, so Tyr would take longer to know enough to destroy it."
"Oh really? Well, we were only-"
Suddenly, with bright red cheeks, she covered her head, and whispered a frantic translocation spell, vanishing back to her room.

Aeriel stepped up, and took a seat.
"Hey, Ishelda." He said. "What did you think of last night's whole... thing?"

>>21153583
Smile, "It was fun, I'm glad I went."

>>21153578
>IS
That should be "US". Stupid phone keyboard.

>>21153583
HAHAHHA she remembered the "shenanigans" as VQ kalak.

>>21153583
"It was pretty fun."
<Is that why you were so insistent on not looking like we normally do? You'll still have to apologize eventually, Lea.>

>>21153578
Sure. But then who's this one girl we haven't met yet if she's not one of the love interests? I don't remember any other future girls being mentioned.

>>21153583
"It was fun."
<Hey, don't be so shy. He won't hold it against you that you were bad in bed.>

>>21153583
Hello my poryally friend, I must request that you don't go to <guest room>, and under absolutely no circumstances should you do so wearing your sexiest underwear.

>>21153642
It was Quaz. The 'future' love interest was 'someone different' that Lewin was bringing from the Eastern continent.
She proved to be unpopular with most players.

>>21153656
Portally*

>>21153656
That is cruel and evil and I now have a mental image of Big Bird in a thong. I should shoot you.

"It was pretty fun." You say, and give him a smile. "I'm glad I went."
"So did I." He said. "I actually haven't gone to one in the past hundred years or so. Vith and Neir's antics are pretty entertaining. Kaliel was kind of impersonal, though, reading the entire time." He frowned. "We all talked about going flying today, but then the rain..."
He shrugged. "When the rain clears up, do you want to come with us? It'll be me, Dariel, and Vith, it looks like."

>>21153687
"Maybe, I'm a bit...busy today"

>>21153687
I'd love to.

We can always get zeke to clear the skies, but I think it counts as abuse of my queenly power to ask him to do that.

Kaliel was only there because I insisted.

"Maybe." You say. "I'm a bit... busy today."
"Fair enough, fair enough." He said. "I think I'm going to go ask Sardriel next if he'll come. If I succeed, Dariel will finally get a look at his kalak form. And... did you sense anything strange in here a minute ago, when I walked in? Translocation?"

>>21153728
"I was talking to Dras'lea when you walked in. She just vanished mid-sentence. It seems that she's extremely embarrassed about... that time she gave you a body."

>>21153728
"Don't worry about it."

>>21153728
"Nope! Certainly nothing happened here."

>>21153749
He doesn't even know she's here, I think. At the very least, we should wait until she's ready before mentioning her.

>>21153728
"Yes and no. I know what it was, and it's nothing to be worried about."

>>21153758
This.

>>21153767
I think we should tell him she's here so that he can giver her the space she needs until she's ready and we don't have to keep dealing with this.

>>21153728
Smile at him, "State secret. Don't worry about it."

"Nope! Certainly nothing happened here."
"I have a distinct feeling it's shenanigans." He said, and shrugged. "Right now it seems like a good day for shenanigans. Also, I think Zeke and Cassie are finally going to face Zeke's mysterious new spell with Cassie's shield. They're doing it outside in a few minutes, so you might want to hurry if you want to watch it."

>>21153796
Go watch it.

>>21153796
"I have other... shenanigans to deal with right now."

>>21153796
"Oh, that should be interesting. Please avoid those particular shenanigans which aren't happening for the moment."
Go watch.

>>21153802
second

>>21153796
Make sure we record it for Dras.

>>21153835
Or ask her if she wants to come. She should be able to blend into the crowd, and loverboy won't be there.

"Oh, that should be interesting." You say. "Please avoid those particular shenanigans which aren't happening for the moment."
You get to your feet, and Grayson finally cracks open the vinefruit, drinking the soft fruit-flesh within.
<Go have fun.> He said. <I... don't like water, anyway.>
"Uh, right, I will." He said. "Or won't. Or..."
He shrugged, confused, and wandered off, toward Sardriel's quarters.

You make your own way outside- and into the rain and clouds. You see Marigold, sitting on Kell's shoulders as the knights wrestle, covered in mud. Marigold gives you a wave, making sure to keep her parasol above her. The rain instantly starts pouring on you, and in another area of the courtyard, you see Cassiel and Zeke standing there, Gehenna and Neiriel in attendance. Zeke cast a simple light spell and brought it up, just below cloud level, shining brightly.
"You ready?" Zeke asked.

"Your majesty." Gehenna said, waving.
"Oh, hey." Zeke said, nodding to you.

>>21153872
"I heard you were doing an experiment."

Rolled 32

>>21153872
make a sheet of force magic floating above our head to keep our hair dry.

"I heard you were doing an experiment." You say.
"If by experiment you mean 'showing Zeke that you can't break redirected force abjuration with a Force spell', then yes." Cassiel said, and chuckled.

"Fine, you're ready." Zeke grumbled. "Prepare to make the shield around the light spell, after I cast."
"Ready." Cassiel said, hands raised.
Zeke closed his eyes, and slowly, carefully cast a spell, murmuring under his breath, with an expression of intense focus. Finally, a small, pulsing red sphere appeared in his palms. He thrust it, up toward the light, and there it sat, pulsing.
Cassiel finished his own spell, and a glass sphere appeared around the red orb- and promptly got pulled into the orb itself.

"What?!" Cassiel asked.
More and more rain and cloud matter started getting pulled into the red sphere, as the spell grew, and swelled, trembling.
Zeke turned to Cassiel.
"Boom." He said, and the orb exploded into steam, putting out just as much liquid as it had somehow stolen. The remainder of the spells vanished, and Zeke shrugged. "I win."

Rolled 35

>>21153941
You're embarrassing yourself in front of the force master, anon. Try this.

Rolled 5

>>21153953
one last time? Think of our hair!

>>21153952
Giggle
"Well, now you'll have to find something else to argue about, huh?"

Rolled 89

>>21153952
"Huh. What does that spell do, exactly?"

>>21153971
The dice do not like our hair. They are cruel creatures.

Rolled 36

>>21153952
I have no idea what happened, but that was pretty.

>>21153971
Fine, I give up. Rolling to make everyone's hair in the kingdom wet.

With a simple exertion of your magic, you cast a sheet of force above your hair, protecting it from the rain.

"I have no idea what happened, but that was pretty." You say. "What does the spell do, exactly?"
"Well, it uses so much force to pull everything inward." He said. "Everything within a certain area. No matter the size. It doesn't use translocation magic to fit them in, it just uses so much force that it crushes the objects into dust. What comes out is usually steam, smoke, or ash, with the little bits of stone I tested the spell on. It's... massively destructive, even to abjuration spells."

Rolled 34

>>21154022
Ah, so he makes a miniature magic black hole.

>>21154022
"Amazing."

>>21154022
That's, uh... Mildly terrifying.

>>21154022
I want to put my dick in it.

>>21154022
"Fancy. I came out just to see that, so I'll go back to what I was doing now."
Go find Lea.

>>21153994
You monster. Not even the Void Queen tried to make fluff less fluffy.

>>21154022
"Shame you didn't get a chance to use it."

>>21154053
>Find her.
Walking all the way back to her room? Pfft.
<He's gone, you can come out now.>

>>21154022
"Think you can arm Jormungandr with something like that?"

"Amazing." You say. "That's, uh... mildly terrifying."
"The only limit is that it has to start in my palms, and it takes me too long to use in normal combat." He said, and shrugged.
"Think you can arm jormungandr with something like that?"
"Not at all." He said. "The spell's so complex, with somatic, vocal, and even mental components that the spellcrystal would probably need to be prism-sized."
"... Oh, right, I forgot! Here." Cassiel said. He closed his eyes, and cast a spell. Immediately, you feel water trail down from your damp hair, until it dried again. "Makes your skin, hair, and clothes waterproof. It's how our feathers are still dry."

>>21153872
Quick question to the native speakers in this thread: Isn't a parasol only used to protect from the sun? Would it not be an umbrella if it is used in the rain? Or are they used interchangeably?
I'm sorry, I do not want to nitpick at such minor details, I'm just curious since I'm not a native speaker.

>>21154113
>Yeah, you're right, but Marigold insists on calling hers a parasol.

>>21154106
Neat! Thanks Cass.

Say, can I get a double batch of cookies? I'll owe you a favor, but I think I might need them.

>>21154113
A parasol is a fancy umbrella that's usually only used in the sun. Sometimes they're strong enough to be used in rain, however.

>>21154106
"That's useful, you'll have to teach me that one."

>>21154113
>An umbrella or parasol (also called a brolly, parapluie, rainshade, sunshade, gamp, bumbershoot, or umbrolly) is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain.
You're right but they're technically interchangeable.

>>21154128
this

>>21154124
>>21154132
>>21154141
Ok, thanks for clarifying

"Ah, the water running down my back is tickling" and giggle

"Neat!" You say, and cancel your sheet of force floating above your head. Immediately, collected rainwater pours down on you, running off of your hair and skin. Surprisingly, you were still dry. You giggle.
"I'll give you the spell for it later." Cassiel said.
"Thanks, Cass." You say. "Say, can I get a double batch of cookies? I'll owe you a favor, but I think I might need them."
"Nah, I still owe you another few hundred batches for bringing me back to life." He said. "I'll get you two."

>>21154197
Let's follow him and make a cookie golem by combining our knowledges.

Rolled 10

>>21154197
Turn into one of them beaked critters!

Let us find Kaliel and tempt her into meeting Lea with cookies.

>>21154208
Cookie golem would go stale and horrible. Something more temporary but more useful would be ideal. Like a cookie elemental.

Rolled 67

>>21154234
A cookie elemental infused with the power of friendship/platonic love? Rollin'!

File: 1350424736708.jpg-(11 KB, 200x190, 50315_343887056586_2841821_n.jpg)

>>21154234
>cookie golem

>>21154286
Hell no. That's the exact opposite of what we want. He'd eat all our delicious cookies.

You follow Cassiel as he goes back inside.
"Well, if you're coming with me, you have to help. Get me a bowl, some sugar, and... no reason, why not some nervghaul butter? I'll see if it's better than the stuff they use in the provinces. A bit bitter, yeah, but if I throw more sugar in there..."
Eventually, you keep giving him things as he mixes it up into a bowl, alongside some other ingredients, and eventually he takes a pile of sugar, and with a spell, it becomes large globules of chocolate, which he mixes up with everything else.

"There." He said, and cast another spell, creating an arcane oven, dolloping the cookie dough onto a sheet, before sliding them in. He started scraping at the bowl, before scraping the dough off of his talons with his beak.
"Mmmpmhm." He said, handing you the spoon.

>>21154286
Fuzzy to boot.

>>21154304
We would respond, but our mouth is already full of cookie dough.

>>21154304
Turn the batter into a cookie elemental. >>21154259

>>21154304
Spoon+mouth

"Mghmphm." You respond, already eating some of the leftover dough.

You look down to the remainder in the batter... and then you close your eyes, and pour your magic into it. The batter in the bowl completely coalesces into a small, hand-sized globule of cookie dough. It instantly warbled, and two arm-like appendages sprung out of the sides.

One of the cooks stepped in-
And the elemental attacked him, leaping onto his face, prying the cook's mouth open, before climbing inside.

The cook chewed, and then nodded to Cassiel.
"Splendid, as always." He said, and went back to slicing vinefruit.

>>21154356
I think that would be a good time to burst out laughing.

Rolled 31

>>21154356
Well that was unexpected.

"How long do cookies take to cook?"

If we have time, let's make a portal from here to Dras'lea's room, so they cookies will be perfectly warm and delicious.

Rolled 32

>>21154356
We need to get a bowl of cookie dough and start running around the castle feeding dough elementals to everyone. Tummy-aches for everyone!

>>21154410
While highly amusing, we've got better things to do than force feed everyone cookie dough.

>>21154438
Also, we want these cookies for ourselves.

You're both silent as the cook leaves, and then you and Cassiel's eyes meet, and the two of you start laughing, Cassiel leaning back onto one of the tables, covering his beak.
"Why, just why, Ishelda." He said, chuckling.
"How long do cookies take to cook?"
"Not long." He said, and shrugged. "But long enough for me to toss you a few spells you might need."
He flipped open his own spellbook, quickly skipping through pages, and took a nearby scrap of paper.
"This is the weather protection one." He said, writing the rune and the notes in the margins out. "And I'm not sure what other abjuration spells you might need. Any special requests?"

Rolled 62

>>21154438
B- But... Cookie dough!
Oh fine, let's do the important stuff first.

>>21154464
None that I can think of. I've already got artifact grade protection after all.

>>21154464
Is there a spell to grab someone's butt?

((I can't actually think of anything useful))

>>21154464
"Just little utility things like that. I have armor to protect me from the big stuff."

"None that I can think of." You say. "I've already got artifact grade protection after all."
"Good point." He said, and closed his book. You quickly take the scrap and copy it over into your spellbook. "Speaking of artifact grade protection..."
He looked down to his ankh. "I'm curious... what happens if someone wears the armor and the ankh at the same time?"

>>21154526
I'm not entirely sure I want to try.

At least not inside the castle. It took a while to build, you know.

>>21154526
"No idea! A crux maybe. I'm not sure what a crux is exactly though."

>>21154548
It's a crux. We know that.

>>21154526
"Would Abjuration magic be able to create a shield against astral fire? That might be useful if we decide to help the Hobgoblins reclaim the area behind the wall"

>>21154526
"Uh, I don't know. What does the Ankh do?"

>>21154566
We've already done it with sorcery, but it would probably be abjuration, yes.

>>21154566
Help the hobs? What, just stand there with a shield up for a year or two while the modified light scrubs the fire?

"No idea!" You say. "A crux, maybe. I'm not sure what a crux is, exactly, though."
"Oh, well, I'm sure Gehenna or Aeriel could explain it better." He said. "But from what I know, cruxes are basically some kind of... signal the artifacts give off when something big is happening, or something big is going to happen. Like, I'm sure you give off little ones just by being, well, you." He said. "They're impossible to detect without high level divination magic."
"Would abjuration magic be able to create a shield against astral fire? That might be useful if we decide to help the hobgoblins reclaim the area behind the wall."
"Erm, we already gave them those flowers, didn't we?" He asked. "But yeah, I have one of those." He said, flipping through. "Hmm, I have a mind ward too, but that might be too high level for you right now. Only Sardriel's been able to cast one, but that's because he's the best at mind magic. Nobody else specialized can do it, but maybe a universal wizard like you can."
He scribbled down the astral fire ward, and then held open the book to the mind ward.
"Try casting it, first."
>Roll 1d100!
>Taking first two!

>>21154590
That's why I think it might come in handy to have, seeing how fickle our sorcery can be. Might just as well be a waste of time, depending on what we decide to do.

Rolled 65

>>21154620
Time to fuck it up

Rolled 73

>>21154620

>>21154620
Impossible to detect? But I've _Felt_ a few cruxes before.

>>21154645
Huh, better'n expected.

Rolled 23

>>21154617
I was thinking more along the line of being able to go deeper into the polluted area to plant the flowers, speeding up the process, at least from what I remember when we last heard about the hobgoblin lands they were only planting at the edges of the wall. I may be wrong though

>>21154657
>The Heart actually allowed you to feel those.

You quickly twist your fingers into the ones the symbols show you, and then whisper it. The power in your body swells up, and spreads out, over your face and head, runes appearing in the air for a single moment.
"Well, that was interesting." He said, and scribbled that rune down as well. You copied those over to your spellbook, and then shut it, just as his conjured oven pinged.

"Ooh, they're ready." He said, and pulled them out of the two ovens with his bare hands, small wards on his talons sparking as he did so.
"Both batches are done." He said. "And I'd best make another few, since everyone will no doubt smell them. I bet you, Kaliel will end up in the dining hall in less than five minutes."

>>21154696
"That's good, I need to talk to her anyway."

>>21154696
I'll bet you three feathers that she's there in four. But you'll have to time it, I have to get these to someone as soon as possible.

>>21154696
>Mind ward that actually goes up when we want it to
Awesome.

"Nope. She's coming with me."
<Kal, come give Dras'lea cookies with me.>

>>21154696
"Hah, I'd be a fool to take that bet, Cassiel, and you know it."

"Hah, I'd be a fool to take that bet, Cassiel, and you know it." You say, chuckling.
"I do." He responded.
"But she's coming with me." You add.
"Oh, do you have a plan to seduce her with cookies?" He asked, and chuckled as you make your way out of the room.
<Kal, come give Dras'lea cookies with me.>
<I ... would...> She said, and you can feel extreme focus on her side of the connection. <But... I'm busy.>

>>21154781
Rush back in.
"Cassiel! She said she's too busy for cookies! What do I do?"

>>21154781
<Anything I can help with?>

>>21154781
<Oh, alright.>

Peek over her shoulder via the ring, see if it's an interruptable sort of busy or a busy sort of busy.

<Oh, alright.> You say, and you slowly ease into her side of the ring, peeking over her shoulders.

Sitting cross-legged in her dark workshop, there were... hundreds, no, thousands of miniature light spells drifting in the air around her, creating a lattice of painstakingly erected runes. As you watch, she casts another light spell, and another small wisp of light flashed into existance, whirling around her with the rest. And then she casts Light again, another small wisp connecting with the earlier one, creating another rune. And then a third, and the fourth...

You pull out of the connection.

>>21154876
Oh well. Looks like we're taking Dras cookies alone. Maybe we could bring Dad?

>>21154876
Multitasking training...?

I guess we'll go see her alone again.

No, wait, That elf we brought back hasn't had cookies yet, and she hasn't any friends here yet. Let's bring her along as well.

>>21154922
Tala sounds like a fine addition. Possibly.

But not our father.

>>21154922
Seconding this

You consider bringing someone with you, and you decide quickly on Tala. She's new here, and hasn't had any cookies yet, so you go wandering toward her room. When you do knock on her door and she doesn't respond, you peek in. The room is abandoned, save for... an impossibly crude dagger, made of iron, sitting on one of the otherwise empty shelves.

Taking that as a clue, you make your way back out into the rain, and into the smithy, where you see Treechild working the smithy proper, while Redglare turns to her and gives her some advice about working mithril, for the glaives. Next, he makes his way over to Tala, who was currently using a hammer and anvil on a second dagger, giving her some advice. Panting, Tala wiped her brow, and nodded, grinning up at him.

>>21154984
Gah, we're on a hot cookie time limit here!

"Hey Tala, making new friends?"

>>21154984
Go over.
"Hello, everyone!"

Redglare said he wanted some Goldsteel for experimentation, right? Magic him up some with our new knowledge.

>>21154984
"Hello! Treechild, thank you for your help with my armor. Tala, want to take a break? There's somebody I'd like you to meet."

Rolled 33

>>21155013
Rolling for that.

I think we have to transmute a particular type of metal though. Copper or some such.

"Hello, everyone! Treechild, thank you for your help with my armor."
"No problem." Treechild said, giving you a grin. You pretend not to notice the shackle marks on her arms and legs.
"Hello." Tala said, biting her lip as she hammers her dagger again.
"Now put it in the heat." Redglare said, and she nodded, putting it back on the coals. He made his way over to you. "Ishelda." He said, and chuckled. "She was wandering about the castle yesterday and walked into me. Since then she's, well, followed me like a lost lamb."

>>21155056
"Has Tala told you her story?"

Offer cookies to everyone.

>>21155056
"Do you still want that Goldsteel?"

>>21155056
"You're teaching her smithing? How's she doing?"

>>21155087
This
>>21155077
Not this, it is her story to tell.

"Has tala told you her story?"
"Part of it, yeah." He said. "Enough of it."
You set down one of the trays. "Anyone want cookies?"
"I do!" Redglare said, chuckled, and took two.
"Do you still want that goldsteel?"
"Yeah, I can probably find a use for it. Why?"

You look over to some of the iron bars, and then you close your eyes, and twist your fingers into a somatic component that you've never before used. Speaking words you've never heard before, the lines on your arms spark with power, draining you as it keeps the spell stable, and then three of the bars transmute to goldsteel.
".. Oh." He said. "That'll be interesting."
"You're teaching her smithing? How's she doing?"
"She's not well suited to it, I'm afraid." He said. "But it keeps her happy, and she promised she'd only keep one of her own creations, and I can reforge the rest."
He shrugged.
"Tala, want to take a break? There's somebody I'd like you to meet."
She looked up to you.
"Don't worry, I'll temper it for you." Redglare said. "And then I'll leave it here for you to sharpen later."
"... Yeah, I'd like to come." She said, stepping away from the dagger and handing the tongs to Redglare, as he took a seat where she had just been sitting.

>>21155151
Don't give Tala a cookie just yet, wait till we're with Dras.

>>21155151
Maybe we should try imparting smithing knowledge on her like we did flight knowledge on Raz?

>>21155185
But we don't know smithing knowledge.

Also taking the time to learn it is something for her to do, which is good.

>>21155185
What smithing knowledge? We don't have any. And if she's not well suited to it, knowing the theory still isn't going to make her good.

>>21155192
>>21155224
I was under the impression we didn't know how to get Raz's half-form to fly either but the sorcery filled in the blanks in her mind.

>>21155192
Seconded. So let's head to the DrasCave!

>>21155244
We know how to fly instinctively. When we couldn't explain it to her, we just copied the instinct into her mind.

You and Tala make your way back into the rain- after you pull up your spellbook and cast the weather ward on her- and back into the castle, going toward the guest rooms.
"So, who is this we're going to meet?" Tala asked.
You open the door, and for the second time today, you're looking into a seemingly endless abyss. Dras was sitting there, cross-legged, looking down at a small book, which she was scribbling in. She looked up.
"... Hi." She said. "I'm Lea."

>>21155272
"This is Tala.

And I bring COOKIES!"

>>21155272
"Don't worry about the lack of floor, Tala."
Float up to her.
"I brought cookies!"

>>21155272
"Hi Lea, this is Tala. Tala, this is Lea, she is new here as well. I thought both of you would like to meet new people. I also brought some of Cassiel's cookies along."

>>21155272
"Tala, this is Lea. She's a very powerful wizard. Ignore the lack of a floor, she just likes it like that.
Lea, this is Tala. She was a slave, but then we rescued her. You're both new here and have never had Cassiel's cookies before, which is a tragedy we are about to put right."

"Don't worry about the lack of floor, Tala." You say, and lightly step into the abyss, drifting toward Lea. "I brought cookies!"
"Hi, I'm Tala." The elven woman said, standing warily at the doorway. She awkwardly tried to step in, and simply drifted in the doorway, before reaching back and pulling herself back into it. "Um..."
"Don't worry, you won't fly off." Lea said. "Just jump in."
"Okay." Tala said, and took a few steps back, and stepped into the abyss... instantly going whirling around you and Lea, orbiting the two of you.

Amazingly, she started giggling, trying to swim closer to you. Lea took a cookie and an experimental bite, as did you. It was *delicious*.

Eventually, Tala reached you, and snagged ahold of your arm, pulling herself closer. The three of you ended up sitting in mid-air, the tray of cookies floating inbetween the three of you.

"She's new here as well." You say. "I thought both of you would like to meet new people."
"Nice to meet you." Tala said. "I especially like the, um, decor."
Lea giggled.

>>21155360
"It certainly is fun. I was wondering about it actually, Lea. How much power would you say is needed to do this?"

>>21155360
Cassiel makes the best cookies.

So you've been exploring Tala? What do you think of New Arcturus so far? I can show you both around later if you like.

"It certainly is fun." You say. "I was wondering about it, actually, Lea. How much power would you say is needed to do this?"
"Not much." She said. "Surprisingly. It's a combination of Ragnarok's wizardry and-"
She gave Tala a look.
"And some of my own personal abilities." She said. "A... signature spell. This is the place I went when I... slept, in stone. You can't get in here from the outside, if I don't anchor it to the doorway."
"So, you've been exploring, Tala?" You ask.
"Um... I didn't get sleep like you told me to." She said. "I kind of went wandering and ran into Redglare. He's very... kind."

>>21155435
>He's very...kind.
>Redglare has been described as an exceedingly gentle lover

Goddamnit did he seduce her?

>>21155458
But elves are tiny and fragile, and hobgoblins are strong and tough... It's going to be lewin/treechild all over again.

>>21155435
"So we're not really in your room? Nifty."

Does our inventory still work in here? Might as well brew up some tea while we chat.

>>21155435
Sly grin
"Oh? What kind of kind are we talking about?"

>>21155479
zero gee tea?
boiling hot water all over the place

>>21155490
>That should be "What sort of kind"

>>21155497
I'm sure we can manage some localised gravity.

Or make a tea elemental.

>>21155458
Nah, he was just being a big tough hobgoblin and she swooned and started following him like a lost puppy.

>>21155435
"He definitely is. His rough exterior hides a noble soul. I think he could help both of you, he had to find a new purpose in live as well after having spent his entire life fighting demons."

>>21155435
"He is. There are lots of nice people here. I don't like nasty people."

"So we're not really in your room? Nifty."
"Well, actually, we're in my room, just... a small sphere in the very center." she said. "That technically doesn't even exist."

You nod, and then flip open your spellbook, going under evocation, and finding a simple Force spell- it wasn't strong, but it was flexible.
"... Are you using me as a light source?" Tala asked. You just grinned at her, and set some tea to brew, using the spell to create a fake gravity.

"What sort of kind are we talking about?" You ask.
"Well, I wasn't looking where I was going." Tala said. "And I walked into him, and fell, and hurt my ankle. He wrapped it up for me. That's the sort of kind he is. Gentle."
"He is." You say. "There are lots of nice people here. I don't like nasty people."
"So, I'd probably be best moving out, then." Lea said, and gave you a joking grin.

>>21155565
"We'll see.

You can't leave until you help me set up some infrastucture though. It'll be easier to create things with twice as much power and from two different angles.

I had this fantastic idea for a railway..."

>>21155565
"You're not a nasty person. You were just slightly insane."

>>21155565
"I'd rather keep you around. And we've already kicked the nastiness out."

"I'd rather keep you around." You say. "And we've already kicked the nastiness out."
"No, it's still... inside of me." She said. "But... well, it's inside of everyone. That basic nastiness, hiding behind our empathy."
Tala looked from you and her... and then pulled Lea into a tight hug. Your new 'sister' eeped as the elf pulled her close.

>>21155565
"You're not nasty, Dras, you made hard choices to help us all out."

>>21155641
So cute...

"So... I'd like to make a spell like this one, but instead of blackness it is full of fluffy. Do you think that's possible?"

>>21155641
Join in the hug.
"That doesn't make you a nasty person."

You join into the hug, leaving the cookies and tea forgotten as the three of you go orbiting them, drifting.
"That doesn't make you a nasty person." You say.
"I know." She said. "But it still means I need to... make amends."
"... you made hard choices to help us out." You say.
"I didn't help you to... to help you. I couldn't have. I didn't even... I didn't even *understand* what it meant to help someone." She said, tearing up. Tala and you hugged her even tighter.

>>21155740
"You didn't understand what it meant to hurt someone either. It's not your fault."

>>21155740
"I know. I've known that since Sardriel tried to use his spell on you. But you still did help."
<And since you are me and I am you, it was still technically helping me, even if it was entirely for your sake.>

"I know." You say. "I've known that since Sardriel tried to use his spell on you. But you still did help."
She pulled away suddenly, and met your eyes. "What... what did I cost you?" She asked. "When you... woke me up with the World Key, you said... that it cost you more than I know. What was it?"

>>21155784
<When I destroyed the Gearworks, I had a choice. It had enough power to restore your emotions, bring my mother back from the void, or save someone trapped in a timeless existence.>

>>21155784
Pull her back into the hug.
<I could have brought mother back with the world key. But that would have left you in that horrid state forever.>

>>21155784
We need to avoid getting depressed as much as possible right now, let's not think about it right now.

>>21155784
I don't... Don't worry about it.

>>21155784
"I effectively had infinite power for one use. I could've done anything. I had two other options to consider. One was to bring back ou- I mean, Elizabeth. The other was a request from the Gearworks himself. The rescue of someone trapped space, for whom time held no meaning."

>>21155784
"The Gearworks was incomplete. It was only able to harness it's 'rewrite' power to undo a past event once. I used it to undo the destruction of your heart. Nevertheless, it is unimportant. The dead are best left to rest, you still had..have a long life left to live."

>>21155784
"The Gearworks...he gave me a choice, I could be a god. I rejected that, of course, but he offered to undo one thing. I could've saved mother or removed all the demons or saved... the lost one."

>>21155784
"Shhhh..." Apply cookies to mouths.